Seeing past the beauty to what’s underneath
We call the flower(?) pictured above–Multiflora Rose. The bush has a lovely, delicate bloom, but those of us attempting to co-exist with this plant aren’t fooled by its beauty. I recall as a child, as I struggled to keep these relentless bushes out of our garden, my father telling me that the species, not native to our area, had been brought in–on purpose! The Multiflora Rose grows and spreads rapidly, has giant thorns, chokes out other plants in its path, and is almost impossible to contain.
Honeysuckle has a wonderful smell and the temptation to sniff those enticing blooms is strong. But this plant is is not only loaded with pollen that really aggravates my allergies, the vine itself is aggressive and fast growing. I’m constantly weeding it out of my flower beds. Left unchecked it will take over, robbing my flowers of nutrients and smothering them under a thick covering of green. The roots of honeysuckle become a thick woven web, almost impossible to remove. Any missed piece of root will renew itself, and start the process over again.
These two plants (and I haven’t even brought up Kudzu) have lovely blooms to tempt us, but a plethora of other harmful characteristics.
Sin is a lot like that . . .
Sin can disguise itself with beauty. Sin knows our weaknesses and can choke out the good as evil encroaches. Sin can convince us that something we see is necessary to our happiness, when in reality, it is danger in disguise. Of course, I’m not saying that plants are evil, but the method used to entice is the same. Appeal to the observer, while sneaking in to cause harm.
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” (2 Samuel 11:1-3)
David was bored because he’d sent his men off to war while he stayed behind in Jerusalem. He saw a beautiful woman, was tempted, and used his position of power to begin a relationship with her. David, the man described as, “A man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22) succumbed to sin.
And it didn’t stop with adultery. After Bathsheba became pregnant, and David’s plan to fool Uriah failed, David arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle. David, tempted by his desire for beauty, failed to consider the consequences for his actions. He continued on the path of sin, being drawn further and further into a woven knot of sin which threatened to choke out David’s relationship with God.
I read David’s story and think, “How could he do all those things?”
Then I look back over my life and recognize a multitude of sins.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24)
Of course, we are all sinners, although you may be like me, and say, “I’d never do anything as bad as what David did.”
But Paul states it clearly–We have all sinned
Peter writes:
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. (1 Peter 2:1)
Have you ever spread gossip? Been jealous? Spoken badly of someone? Been prideful?
I confess that I have. Those actions are sins. And just as aggressive and harmful plants can overtake my flower beds, invade our pastures, and form a woven web of monstrous roots that overpower and destroy the beauty of garden and farm, sin will destroy our relationships and separate us from God. If unchecked, sin will overpower us and smother us under a burden too heavy to carry.
But we have protection from sin…
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
When sin tempts us–threatens us–and weaves a web of danger around us, our Father will answer our call for help. He will be our shield, our sword, our warrior to pull us from the pit and set our feet on solid ground.
But we have a part–we must call on Him.
Do you remember a time when God rescued you from the snares of sin and weeds of temptation?
Rosa rugosa or multi-flora rose was brought into our farm as a way to have living fence rows. It quickly spread far beyond the fence lines and into our pasture fields and unplanted field edges. The unused sheep pasture eventually became 100% multi-flora rose. It completely consumed the pasture. Although it does make a good food source for my bees, I battle it every year
What a great comparison to sin and how just giving it a foot hold will allow it to take over. Sin gives an alluring promise of making life easier, when it fact is does the exact opposite.
Thanks for your post Katherine. I really relate to it’s message!
Thank you for sharing the official name (Rosa Rugosa) of multi-flora rose. That’s new information for me. We view it as a real menace on our farm, but I am glad to know it has one useful purpose–feeding bees. That’s important. Perhaps a reminder for me to be less questioning about the purpose of some of God’s creation. He has the plan and part of His plan may be to give me exercise when I work and wrestle to win the battle against these thorny culprits. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Ben.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to find trouble behind what appears beautiful. What harm could come from those white flowers and honey suckle, right? You make a great point about the temptation of sin and its many ways to lure us away from right thinking. Grateful for the Lord’s protection and grace.
Thank you for sharing encouragement and insight, Mary. Your reflections always help me look deeper into our Father’s Word, while reminding me to be thankful for His love and grace. Wishing you a blessed week.
What great examples Ms. Katherine. Not sure if you have them in NC or not ma’am, but two I fight (many more sins though, I’m sure) is goat weed and locust trees. Both of these invasive plants are bothersome to any rancher. While the goat weed can have beautiful purple flowers, the pollen is overwhelming and it takes away from the available grazing for my cattle. I have to spray at least yearly to control them or they’ll take over my pastures. Another long-fought nemesis is locust trees. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you I’ve cut down a thousand or more of these from my property. What I learned was why when I cut one down, six more take its place because their roots run just below the surface and can grow to be 40 yards long. I learned that after I cut the tree or sapling down, I had to treat the stump to kill off the root system. Those three-inch long, thick, thorns often reminded me of the crown of thorns that was fashioned for our Savior. What great analogies made ma’am. And having spent time at Fort Benning, GA, I too won’t even “go there” on the kudzu! LOL
We have locust trees here, although not to the extent you describe (I’m thankful!) But it is a constant battle, in our yard, garden, flower beds, and pastures to keep a multitude of weeds from taking over whatever it is that is “supposed” to be growing. Of course, after the expulsion from the the Garden of Eden, the warning about weeds was delivered and humans have had to battle them since that time. I’m glad you understand about kudzu. I’m blessed not to have it here on the farm, but I’ve observed barns and houses that have been overwhelmed by kudzu, completely covered over by this monster plant (again–not native to the South), but brought in to plant along highways to control erosion and reduce growth of other plants (supposedly less mowing and trimming required along highways). Well, we know that was a failure, except that when kudzu takes over, no other plant life can survive. It still has to be mowed or it will grow across the road. Perhaps a blog for another day. May God continue to bless you all on the Cross-Dubya.
I really love my neighbors’ honeysuckle. But now I’m glad it’s theirs and not mine. All kidding aside, you make an important point. Sin can seem pleasant, but we become its servants.
And we see God’s lessons for life in our gardens and yards. Thanks, Katherine. Great post. God bless!
I couldn’t help but chuckle at your comment about your neighbors’ honeysuckle, “I’m glad it’s theirs and not mine.” I absolutely agree, although I’m certain that we both wouldn’t wish our neighbors any hardship. This way, you can enjoy the sweet aroma and beauty of the plant from a distance. Hopefully, they can keep the honeysuckle contained to a specific area. I always appreciate your kind encouragement, Nancy. May God continue to bless you and your ministry of service.
You found a perfect example to demonstrate the insidious effects of sin, Katherine. I appreciate your encouragement from God’s word.
Thank you, Annie. I’m grateful for your kind encouragement. Wishing you blessings!
Such a great analogy in your post. I love it and it really made me think about how sin creeps in and takes over before we realize. Thanks for sharing
Many times great damage has been done before we even realize sin has entrapped us. Thankfully, our Savior helps us keep our guard up, when we wear His armor of protection. Thank you for visiting my blog, Yvonne, and sharing your thoughts. Wishing you joy and blessings on your journey.
Thank you Katherine for another excellent post. Weeds and sin certainly have much in common, and take root far too easily. Great analogy!
I remind myself often that I have too many weeds in my life–both kinds! I’m thankful God continues to help me with the weeds of sin. Thank you for your encouragement, Sylvia.
Those 2 plants (plus kudzu!) are great examples of how sin can look beautiful and ensnare us deeper and deeper. I’ve seen times like that in my life, and been so thankful when God has rescued me and cleared away those sinful roots and branches.
Me, too, Kathy! When the weeds of sin begin to wrap and weave a snare around me, I’m thankful our Lord is just a prayer away. And we are so blessed that He always answers when we call. Wishing you joy and blessings!
Those weeds can appear beautiful and just like sin can entice us into thorny areas of life. David’s sin happened because he strayed from what he knew about God during that moment. If he had been where he should have been, this incident wouldn’t have happened. We must remain diligent to stay in the Word, pray, and be alert to all these dangers. Thanks for sharing, Katherine!
Thank you for sharing your insights, Barbara. Like David, I think we sometimes stray and go where we shouldn’t–either physically or in our minds–and sin creeps in. Your response reminds us that we need to stay on the path God has planned for us and we can do that when we stay in His Word and His will (as we seek His guidance prayerfully).
Weeds are a lot like sin in many ways. We have to stay on top of both or they will choke the life of abundance Jesus came to give.
I like the way you sum it up Candyce, “We have to stay on top” (of weeds and sin) “or they will choke the life of abundance Jesus came to give.” Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. May your weekend be filled with joy and blessings!
I’ve been reading about the Israelites going into exile and God says it is all due to sin. I am not sure we really understand the magnitude of the power sin has to destroy. But God is bigger and can redeem. Your post fit right into my reading.
I agree, Jennifer, it is hard to comprehend the magnitude of sin and how it destroys our lives. Only through God’s Word and communion with Him can we gain understanding of the cost of sin and the true gift we receive through forgiveness and salvation. Oh! The gift our Savior has provided–forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. We are so blessed.
Thank you for the truthfulness of your message. I’m grateful for the Lord’s help when I am tempted and for His forgiveness when I sin.
So am I, LuAnn! What would we do if we didn’t have our Lord’s love and grace? I’m so thankful for mercy–that He loves me so much that He took the punishment I deserve.