Ask a farmer what he does, and he'll say, "I'm a grain farmer," or, "I raise cucumbers," or, "I grow grapes." No farmer sums up his work by saying, "I plow up weeds," or, "I get rid of bad bugs." Although farmers do those things, their main focus isn't what they plow up or get rid of, but what they produce.

God is a farmer. He wants to produce a good crop in his people. We sometimes think of God only in terms of what he's against, but that's a mistake. Of course, God is against various sins and works to rid us of them, but his main focus is producing a rich harvest of Jesus' character in us. If we're in step with God's Spirit, that will be our main focus, too.

What's the use of being against sin if we're not for anything? If a farmer plows under every weed but doesn't plant good seed, he won't get a harvest. In fact, if he plows but doesn't plant, he'll soon have more weeds than ever. Once he plows, a good way to prevent more weeds from taking over is to grow good plants. So, too, once you repent, a great way to prevent more sin from taking over is to grow good spiritual character: "Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Galatians 5:16).

Count on the Holy Spirit to plant and grow Christ's character in you.

PRAYER--Lord God, by your Spirit plow my heart and root out the sin in my life. Plant and nourish and grow the life of Jesus in me, that your fruit may flourish in me forever. Amen.