2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 ESV, Hebrews 6:1-20 ESV, Psalm 105:16-36 ESV, Proverbs 27:1-2 ESV
Daily Verse: “But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:8 ESV)
AKANTHA (173): “Akantha, as a noun means “a brier, a thorn” is always used in the plural in the NT.”[1]
Briers.
What produces thorns brings fire. From an agricultural standpoint, during Paul’s time, farmers burned fields to rid them of weeds and prepare them for crops. Applying the farming principle to faith, following Jesus should yield healthy crops, not briers.
Putting our fleshly desires first produces thorns. If we only think about our wants and needs, we completely miss God’s and people’s. Paul wants to ensure the Hebrews, and us, keep our priorities straight.
We produce the type of crop we plant. If I plant seeds of selfishness, jealousy, and hatred, without a doubt, briers will grow. However, planting seeds of love, joy and peace produces a mighty bounty.
Full crop.
At the end of harvest, farmers thank God for their bounty. The Creator’s provision and the farmer’s hard work produce entire crops that will sustain them through winter. Man can’t make the seeds grow, but he can decide what kind of kernels he wants to plant. God does the growing.
Plant seeds of love in the people around you by serving them for the Lord. Identify their needs, pray for them, and help them as God guides and directs you. Multiplication happens as life change occurs and people begin to experience and spread the word about Jesus.
Battling the flesh never ends, but in Jesus, you can find victory. Don’t produce fields of briers; plant the fruit of the Spirit everywhere: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Watch the world bloom around you.
[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 11) Thomas Nelson
