“³ Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “Consider the sower who went out to sow. ⁴ As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up. ⁵ Others fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprang up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep. ⁶ But when the sun came up they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered. ⁷ Others fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. ⁸ Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop: some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:3-8)

Three Steps That Will Revolutionize Your Marriage & Relationships:

• Embrace the journey of weeding.

“¹ There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven … ^2b a time to plant and a time to uproot.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2b emphasis added)

“¹⁰ Summoning the crowd, He told them, “Listen and understand: ¹¹ It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. ¹² Then the disciples came up and told Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard this statement?” ¹³ He replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. ¹⁴ Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:10-14)

• Look-out for the seeds that you allow to take root in your life/relationships.

“Others fell among thorns, the thorns came up and choked them.” (Matthew 13:7)

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.” (Genesis 8:22 emphasis added)

“A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10)

Question: What is choking or keeping God’s seeds and plants from growing in your life and relationships?

• Be willing to uproot the weeds in your life/relationships.

What you don’t uproot can destroy the life God intended you to have.

“¹ Lord, You have searched me and known me. ² You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. ³ You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways … ²³ Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. ²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139: 1-3 & 23-24)

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬)

“¹⁰ Summoning the crowd, He told them, “Listen and understand: ¹¹ It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” (Matthew 15:10-11)

Five Lessons From The Practice of Weeding In Your Marriage (Life?) & Relationships:

• Weeds will compete with productive good seeds.
• Weeds need to be weeded out quickly.
• Weeds need to be weeded out before planting good seeds.
• Some weeds need professional help in order to be removed. (ex.- counseling, mentorship/support, education.)