Laying The Axe To The Root
Matthew 3:10–12
10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
The Bible speaks of a spiritual root that bears bitterness (Deuteronomy 19:18). Jeremiah was told to “root out” sin (Jeremiah 1:10), and the prophet Malachi shows God dealing with the root of transgressions in the lives of His people (Malachi 4:1).
The Bible says, “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word through the accompanying signs” (Mark 16:20). Having read this Scripture, we sometimes hastily conclude that God will work with us, regardless of how we are. Though it is true that God desires to work with us, there may be certain things in our lives that prevent God from working with us. If there are things in our lives that (tie God’s hands and) prevent Him from working with us, then those areas must be dealt with.
Self, jealousy, pride, and lust, alcoholism, drug addictions, and immorality and many more are some of the negatives that could hinder God from working with us. When we allow the Lord to lay the axe to the root and do a cleansing work in these areas of our lives, we will be better people, not only for God but also for each other.
An important aspect of victorious Christian living is laying the axe to the root of negative behaviors or situations. Laying the axe to the root is aptly illustrated in the story of a man named Joash, an Old Testament king, who was facing a formidable enemy and came seeking advice from the Prophet Elisha.
Elisha made a powerful prophetic declaration and demonstration to Joash. He told him to take a bow and arrows in his hand. The king obliged, and Elisha placed his hands over those of the king. He told Joash to open the window towards the enemy nation of Syria. Then he commanded: “‘Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them” (2 Kings 13:17, NKJV).
Next, Elisha commanded the king to take the arrows and strike them on the ground. Joash complied, hitting the ground three times and then stopping. Elisha told him, you should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it!” (2 Kings 13:19, NKJV). What Elisha was declaring prophetically was that the king should have persevered until the enemy was totally defeated. If you do not deal with the root causes of issues, then like an unquenched fire they will flare up again. Destroy the root and you will kill the fruit.
From this encounter, we learn six important strategies for dealing with root causes of sinful behaviors.
To be continued……. See part 2
Shalom!
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