What You Water Grows

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:14-15 But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Same chapter of James but two dramatically different outcomes. We have a trial that enters the life of the believer. No matter the circumstances we see that it is an invitation for growth, for maturity to be produced as we water our faith. We water the word of God, we water our prayer life and through this a precious treasure is produced. Growth in the Lord which leads to life is the outcome when we water our problems with the instruction of the Lord.

On the other hand, there is always an opportunity for a thought or a temptation to provide an invitation for sin. We have the choice to water a thought until temptation grows, to further water with unrighteous desire until thoughts become actions. As we continue to go unchecked by the Word and selfish impulse takes the place of God’s Word, sin is birthed and sin always leads to destruction.

We will always have trials and temptations but the outcome is vastly different based on what you water with. Just remember the Lord offers life and hope secure in victory. Water with the God’s Word and make all things subject to what Jesus has and you will come out with treasure.

Pastor Natalie Snider