“An Unwanted Root”
Recently, I found myself thumbing through the book of Ephesians searching for words to battle my poor attitude. Juggling life’s demands and the gremlins’ school activities left my husband and I feeling as though we chased squirrels daily. Sure, my heart knew all the sayings, “you’re going to miss this one day,” and “it’s just a season, they grow up so fast,” but the reality was my attitude didn’t feel that way.
I felt as though I had a root within me sprouting expectations, frustrations, a short temper, and criticism. I didn’t like the way I was responding, but it felt deeper than attempting to take on a ‘Pollyanna’ attitude. As I read through Ephesians 4, Paul’s message began to thump my attitude beneath my forehead. He said, “do not give the devil a foothold,” and “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Chapter 5 continued with, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.”
At this point, I knew this message was for me. I no longer wondered if something negative had taken root, it was a fact. I had given the enemy a foothold when I began to nurture my bad attitude with expectations, frustrations, and bitterness. The roots within me weren’t bearing appealing fruit, they needed to be uprooted.
As my eyes were opened by Paul’s reminders, I couldn’t help but feel surprised by how subtly the enemy tempted me into gratifying my sinful nature. When the negativity began, it felt justified…harmless…warranted, and as I made excuses for these feelings, the enemy nursed my thought process. He added thoughts of self-righteousness, blame, jealousy, and haughtiness.
Often, the fruits of the Spirit are referenced as cute figures of fruit representing acts of kindness for our children to model. But, what if we dug deeper into this message, revealing to them and ourselves how the enemy seeks to plant the bad seed and how easily we can give into our sinful nature. The desirable fruits such as joy, gentleness, peace, self-control, are by-products of abiding in Christ and allowing The Holy Spirit to dwell within us, not beside us.
So, I asked myself, what fruit was I bearing…what needed to change…. others or myself? The latter option was the answer. It began with me. Life would always be full of demands; individuals would most likely disappoint me, but if I’m rooted in Christ, I’m able to view the circumstances differently.
If Christ’s acceptance of me is my joy, then peace and assurance follows.
If my expectancy comes from God’s timing and sovereignty, then I can be better prepared with self-control and gentleness.
If I’m abiding in His Word and allowing it to check my heart, then a bad root will be easier to spot and remove.
Returning to God’s Word with an open attitude is the only attitude I hope to keep!
How about you? How has the enemy deceived you lately? Are you on guard with his schemes? Take time to allow God’s Word to uproot some unwanted areas and replace them with His fruit.
