Don't Let Sin Take Root

This past weekend, we were doing some yard work.  I was out working on some weeds and unwanted plants while the kids were helping my husband clean up after trimming bushes.  Some of the weeds I pulled came out very easily, but some of the unwanted plants were not so easy.  There were several remnants of holly bushes trying to grow up out of the ground after the main plants had been removed a while back. I had to keep digging and digging and digging, and I still only got a portion of the roots out.  I was struck by the analogy of weeds and sin. These weeds and unwanted plants are like sin in my life. If I nip sin in the bud, it doesn't have time to take root.  However, if I allow sin, whether it's allowing something someone said or did to offend or anger me, something ugly I said to someone else, something I've done that I know is wrong, etc., to take root in my heart, it will become harder to get rid of.  The longer I let it go and it digs its roots deeper into my heart, the harder it becomes to get it all out.  Then if I don't take care of all of it, it will spring back up in my life later. Sin does not go away by itself.  It doesn't just disappear if I ignore it long enough. As a Christian, I'm still going to sin, and it's critical that I take care of any sin in my life immediately and not let it take root. 1 John 1:8-2:2 says,

                            If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth 
                            is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will 
                            forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim 
                           we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His Word has no 
                           place in our lives. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will
                           not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father 
                           in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning 
                           sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the
                           whole world. 

Thank you Father for providing a way out for me so that my sins don't have to take root in my heart.  Thank you for the cleansing blood of Your Son.