Every human being has thorny places in their personalities that often prick and cause friction in others. Sincere believers in God through the Messiah Jesus, really don’t want these thorns, but emotionally and psychologically find it difficult to change.
Copyright 2022 by H.D. Shively
Removing the Thorns
We all must realize that in our own strength we cannot change or weed out our thorns without some help.
Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
We must come to the realization that we have to rely on His Holy Spirit to change us. Only He can replace our thorns with the fruits of His Spirit. But we must want to let Him work His changes in us. He needs our wills to be submitted to His will.
The Holy Spirit works with God’s word. We can begin by understanding what the fruits of the spirit are, then we can purposely seek the Lord by prayer to replace our thorns by allowing Him to create those fruits in us.
The fruits of the Spirit are: “Love , Joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, moderation (self-control), ( Galatians 5:22,23).
The fruits of the Spirit are all different aspects of love. –
“Love is patient, and kind; love does not envy, love is not boastful (arrogant), is not conceited, does not behave rudely, is not selfish, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil (Does not keep a record of wrongs -is forgiving); does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth. Bears all things, (does not complain) believes all things (of God), endures all things. Love never fails…(I Corinthians 13:4-8).
It is obvious, that if these characteristics are formed in an individual, then there will be nothing there that could cause friction in a relationship.
In a marriage or engagement relationship, if both partners are seeking the Lord to create those fruits and characteristics in them, any elements of discord will be removed and the foundations for a lasting relationship will be established.
Make it a priority to seek those fruits and daily meditate on the scriptures that describe them.
Also read David’s Psalms and begin by asking the Lord to create in you the heart of David. His attitude of devotion to God and love for His word, further prepares the soil of our hearts to be transformed into the people God wants us to become.
Instead of fighting with your partner, fight to remain focused on the Lord and His goal for you.
Remember that the devil who is the enemy of your soul, is constantly trying to keep his thorns in your life, because he knows he can use them to try and destroy you and your relationships.
Jesus gives us the power to overcome in His name. Be a determined warrior and guard your fruit bearing relationship with the Lord diligently.
We are called to be partakers of Jesus’ Divine Nature (II Peter 1:4). We are called to be conformed into the image of the Lord.
The Apostle Peter leads us to conclude with this. –
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge (of God and Christ); and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren not unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:5-8).