The Root of the Problem

“Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit” (Deuteronomy 29:18).

There are a number of interesting points of similarity between plants and sin. Here’s what I mean. Plants can’t survive without roots. Neither can sin.   Plants and weeds don’t grow from the top down. They grow from the root up. Sin works the same way. Some plants are capable of fast growth, taking over a garden or yard. Sin has the potential of taking over as well. Further, the only way I know to permanently kill weeds is to kill them at the root. To do otherwise invites their return. It works the same way with sin.

Take a close look at the above verse spoken by Moses to the entire nation of Israel. He was reminding them of the blessings and curses present in their covenant with God. Moses’ point was clear. Even the smallest root can result in a poisonous and bitter fruit.

Can you see how this principle comes to bear in your life? The smallest inroad of sin has the potential, if not killed at the root, to overtake your life. I’ve seen this at work far too many times not to know the danger inherent in a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit.

Let’s make this personal. Is there a root, however small, of sin in your life right now? Is there a hint of dishonesty, pride, lust, lying, anger, selfishness or some other sin buried deep in your heart? Has the root taken hold, thereby increasing the danger of poisonous fruit? Be brutally honest with yourself in this regard. If what I’ve just described is true for you, I have a three-word piece of advice; kill the root. Once the root is killed, the likelihood of the poisonous root returning is greatly lessened.

Now, to be sure, there are some roots that die hard. Old thought patterns, recurring struggles with sin, or harboring difficult thoughts or desires can take time to die, but die they must. I don’t know your situation, but I do know that killing the root takes work.

In that light, here are some helpful suggestions. First, stop secretly watering the root. Plants die without nourishment; so does sin in large measure. Whatever poisonous root you may find in your heart, one helpful suggestion is to starve it to death. The presence of the Holy Spirit will enable you to starve it.

Second, once it’s dead, be careful not to replant it. By God’s grace, never go back to it, never.

Third, make yourself accountable to another person. Roots need other roots to gain strength. That applies to our battle against sin. We need others to fight.

Finally, confess, confess, confess! As soon as a root appears, speak of it to God, asking for his forgiveness and power to deal with it.

I see the bitter fruit of poisonous roots in people’s lives. It doesn’t have to be that way. By God’s grace, you and I can eradicate the poisonous roots and bitter the fruit that typifies sin. Start now!