Thistles

“God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn.” (Matthew 13:25 MSG)

Of all the weeds that come up in my garden, thistles are the worst. They have prickly leaves and stems. They start off looking like other harmless weeds, but once they are established, they are hard to pull up. I dig around their deep roots with a shovel and try to pull them out while wearing thick garden gloves. Most of the time, another thistle just pops up from the remnants of roots.  

Our minds are like a field where God has planted seeds of goodness. But the Enemy sneaks in when we are unaware and sows thistles of destruction. Harmful thoughts are invasive. Like prickly weeds, they are difficult to uproot. Do not dwell on thistly thoughts; this fertilizes the noxious weeds. It’s best to get rid of them before they get established. Once intrusive thoughts have put down roots, we need Divine help to eliminate them. Ask God to identify evil and pull it out firmly. Fill your mind with truth. Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic, real, honorable, admirable, beautiful, respectful, pure, holy, merciful, and kind. Focus your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. 

“Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.” (Philippians 4:8 TPT)