As Christians, we know that just because we have the creator of the universe as our Father, that does not exempt us from the issues of life. Experiencing difficulties and hardships is just a part of living in the world. Luckily, those things won’t last forever. However, we do have something that will endure: The Word of God. The Word is our toolkit that helps us navigate through life. It helps us see things we would otherwise miss with the natural eye, encourages us in our low moments, and nurtures us into maturity. Growing spiritually is imperative because without it we will never become everything God has called us to be, rather we will remain as a child. I don’t know about you, but as for me, I refuse to end my life having physically aged, yet still a spiritual infant– helping no one and bearing no fruit. There is no fulfillment in that. Hopefully you have said “YES” to your spiritual growth journey in The Lord and understand that it is just that– a journey. During your maturation, I want you to be on the lookout for these 3 roadblocks that have the potential to stunt your growth.
My three points come from Matthew 13:3-9 and Matthew 13:18-23:
“Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:3-9)
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:18-23)
1. The Enemy
We all know that the enemy is looking for any and every opportunity to steal, kill, and destroy a good thing in our lives. Misunderstandings about the Word are no exceptions. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” I used to think when reading this verse that wisdom and understanding were two different things. Here wisdom and understanding go hand-in-hand. It’s almost impossible to have one without the other. “Nothing in life is as valuable as the wisdom to know and do God’s will and to understand how to respond correctly to obstacles and opportunities.” (bibleref.com) You cannot seek wisdom without gathering understanding as well. So, how do you go about outsmarting the enemy? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 NIV) Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom when reading the Word, so that you may understand it, keeping it out of reach for the enemy.
2. No Roots
When I was young, sometimes I would help my dad out in the yard. I can recall him asking me to pick out some weeds that had sprouted up. I thought, “Well, that’s easy. I can do that.” But before getting started, he gave me some important instructions: “You have to pull the weed out by the root or else it will grow back.” He then proceeded to show me how. What I thought would be easy actually produced some sweat because I had to twist and pull those weeds a certain way. They were rooted in the ground pretty good! Some baby weeds just beginning to grow were easier to pull out and I realized why: They weren’t successfully rooted in the ground yet. Spiritually, when we are not rooted in God and in His Word, it’s easy for the “hand” of life –trials and hardships– to pluck you out of joy and peace. However, when we are rooted, no matter how many times trouble comes to pick at, break, and fluster us, we know something the world does not: we shall not be moved. You cannot steal our joy because it was never planted in the things of this world, but in The One who holds the world in his hand. “He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. (Psalm 62:6 NKJV)
3. The Cares of Life
In today’s world the list of worries can be a mile long. Worry can cause you to lose sight of what is true and choke the very Word you have planted inside you, causing you to be unfruitful. One example from the bible of someone who had every reason to worry was Abraham.
“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:19-21
Like Abraham, we may have many facts to face– the rent is due, a loved one is sick, your job is in jeopardy, or your child is struggling. Whatever the worry is, we have to subscribe to what we know about God– the truth of his Word over the facts. The truth is, like Abraham, we have to be strengthened and unwavering in our faith. This means believing God’s promises above all else. Also, remember that we are a peculiar people. We live in the world, but we do not belong to it (John 17:16). The Word tells us that this world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:17). So, why put any stock in the cares of this world? Don’t become so distracted by the worries of life that you forfeit the life Christ died to give you. He wants you to live an abundant life, bear much fruit, and walk in your purpose. Choose to put your hope in God, and instead of looking at your circumstance, look to Him.
Be mindful of these three potential roadblocks as you continue on in your spiritual growth and development.
Original post date: 3/11/2020
Edited: 9/10/2024
