Kudzu, Sin, and the Battle Within

"People who conceal their sins will not prosper,

but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy."

(Proverbs 28:13 NLT)

“The Vine that Ate the South,” otherwise known as kudzu, appears lush and decorative. This plant was introduced to the southeastern United States in 1876. Native to China and Japan, kudzu was once planted in abundance to control soil erosion. But, as we’ve learned, it is extremely invasive, growing almost a foot a day in the summer.

Kudzu climbs power poles and trees, and if left unchecked, it can destroy forests by blocking the sunlight trees need to survive. Kudzu now covers seven million acres in the Deep South, and is nearly impossible to eradicate. Repeated herbicide treatments must be applied for at least four years to affect its growth, and some plants take as long as ten years to kill. Scientists continue to work to find a formula that will eliminate kudzu.

The Battle Within

We fight an inner battle with our sinful nature that is similar to the battle against kudzu.

Although we'd like to eradicate sin from our lives once and for all, it doesn't work that way. We cannot simply will it away. We must be diligent in weeding sin from our hearts so it doesn't become invasive and block the light of Jesus.

But we have to apply the "formula" that cleanses us from sin, and it's a daily fight.

The "Formula"— Recognize, Admit, Confess, Request, Repent

First, we do the hard work of recognizing and admitting our iniquity to ourselves. Then we confess our sin to God, and ask for His forgiveness. Next, we repent of our sin by turning away from it and turning to God instead.

If we are diligent with these actions, Jesus will illuminate the darkness so we can have life. Time and again, we turn toward Jesus in order to turn from sin. We can't overcome sin on our own. Through prayer, we implore God to show us our transgressions and grant us the strength to overcome them.

And as we move through this sequence of seeking forgiveness, His love—more abundant than the kudzu that covers the hills of the south—grants us mercy.

Monthly Book Giveaway

First, the winner of last month's giveaway—Marilyn Nutter's Mourning Glories——is Jennifer H. Congratulations, Jennifer! I'll be in touch for your mailing address.

This Month's Book Feature

Hoofprints of Hope

I'm so excited about this new release! Hoofprints of Hope is a devotional, but it is also much more. In addition to 52 relevant biblical messages, Kathy O'Neill gives readers action steps (Gallop into Action), opportunities for reflection (Corral your Thoughts), and bonus fun facts related to horses (Fun Notes from the Barn).

The book also includes colored photos of horses (some famous). Yes, it's written on a middle school level, but horse lovers of all ages will love this book. I learned so much about horses and how they embody godly character. It would be a fun devotional to read together with a child or grandchild.

Meet the Author

The author with Teddy

Kathy O’Neill grew up in Maine. She loves the Lord and His gifts of family, friends, art and nature. Today she lives in Colorado, exchanging walks on the beach for horseback riding in the Rockies, where the wind sings through the pines. As an art teacher, writer, and speaker, she enjoys engaging children’s and adult’s hearts and hands to discover God and their own creativity through art, history, and nature.

I've subscribed to her wonderful newsletter—"Engaging Hearts and Hands with Art and Nature"—for years. Find out more about Kathy and a fun freebie she is offering to new subscribers at Kathy-Oneill.com or follow her on social media: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram.

 For a chance to win a copy of Kathy's book, scroll down to drop a comment in the section below or reply to this email. Love hearing from y'all.

Immersed in His Love,

Candyce