I love to garden, and daily I find I am out there weeding. It is a never ending occupation in the summer months here in Georgia. But, I am thankful that my garden is flourishing because I know that my efforts are paying off. Yes, gardens need tending and weeds, which are remarkable for their tenacity, must be removed so that the productive plants can flourish. We can remove them by digging in the earth or apply the discipline of poisons to destroy. The problem with the latter is that often the good plants suffer as well.  But if we are wise we will tend the garden with the tenacity of the weeds so our gardens are pure. There are four weeds the author of Hebrews notes in chapter 12 that must be eradicated so that we can persevere to the very end.

The Drifter Weed (Ch 2 and Ch 12:12 & 13) This is the believer who is weak and lame. He/She drifts into the path and robs the good plants of sunlight. The solution has already been given in Heb 3:13 “exhort one another daily.” It must be an ongoing process to eliminate this weed.

The Bitter Weed (12:15) It looks like the real thing but if tasted it is bitter and causes trouble. The solution? Heb 12:2 keep our eyes on the one who ran the race with excellence: Jesus Christ. Rom 12: 1-2 Do not be conformed to this world!

The Fornicator Weed (vs 16) This is the weed of immorality.  Solution: Heb 10:22 Check your heart. Is it sincere?

The Godless Weed (vs16) This is the weed of Esau, who sold his birthright. If not eradicated quickly their roots become entrenched and are removed only with much effort. This weed can and will destroy.

There is a nursery rhyme that goes:

So is our garden blossoming or filled with weeds?