Our front lawn when mowed looks green and lush to those who walk by or drive by. I work in our yard and know the truth that it is full of weeds that are a beautiful green but they are chocking the grass. Our lives can be like my lawn. Jesus gave this example that on the surface we can look righteous but our hearts of full of weeds like; racism, hate, jealousy, greed, anger, fear, and other things that we hear and see that little by little take root in our lives. This is the devils way not with a total frontal assault. This is why Jesus tells us to take captive every thought. If we work at taking our thoughts captive maybe we can keep the weeds from taking root.
Matthew 23:26-28 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare and not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Ephesians 6:13-18 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the GOSPEL OF PEACE; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
We see truth is the starting of this armor. Today it is difficult to discern the truth. Maybe if we slow down and take things we see and hear captive and wait for the fruit of what is being spoken, if we compare the words and actions to how God tells us to walk in His Spirit and ask is it loving, kind, respectful, gentle, self controlled, and according to God’s word. God’s word says He will direct our paths we only need to acknowledge Him in all our ways. This doesn’t need to be a long prayer, a simple: Lord is this true, is this a safe or good purchase, should I speak or share this? Whatever it is we can acknowledge God in all our ways.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
Are we willing to ask, seek, and knock? Are we willing to draw near to God and listen? We will not always get it right but God is gracious, forgiving, and merciful, full of love for us all.
