“Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
In agriculture, a seed can only germinate and grow in a favourable environment—one with good soil, sufficient oxygen, and adequate water. The plant cannot grow as expected without these essential elements or bear notable fruits. Similarly, your spiritual growth hinges on the environment you create for it to thrive.
Jesus, in the Parable of the Sower, likened the word of God to a seed (Luke 8:11-15). Like a seed that requires specific conditions to flourish, the word of God needs a nurturing environment to take root in your heart and produce the fruits of the Spirit. As a believer, you must intentionally create an environment that fosters your faith and strengthens your walk with God.
Just as a crop cannot grow without proper nourishment, your spiritual life cannot blossom unless you consistently feed it with the word of God and time in His presence. A farmer does not leave watering his crops to chance; he tends to them daily. Likewise, you must establish a rhythm of prayer and meditating on Scripture, allowing the word to transform you (Joshua 1:8).
What you allow into your life profoundly influences your spiritual growth. If you continually expose yourself to worldly influences, the results will reflect that. On the other hand, filling your heart with the things of the Spirit—sound teachings, edifying music, and Scripture—will produce fruits that glorify God (Galatians 5:22-23).
Relationships also shape your spiritual environment. Surrounding yourself with godly friends who encourage your faith strengthens your walk with God. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “iron sharpens iron.” Choose companions who inspire you to pursue God wholeheartedly and align with His purposes; avoid relationships that pull you away from Him, as you can be corrupted by the wrong influence of bad company (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Every farmer faces the challenge of dealing with weeds that threaten to choke the life out of his crops. Jesus noted in the Parable of the Sower that some seeds grew, but were choked by weeds (Matthew 13:22). In your spiritual journey, weeds can take the form of distractions such as unhealthy habits, entertainment, social media, or activities that consume your time and attention. Lay aside everything that hinders your walk with God and focus on what will help you run the race set before you.
God has entrusted you with the responsibility to cultivate an environment where His word can take root and bear fruit. Be diligent, consistent, and focused on God’s word. When you cultivate the right environment, you will bear lasting fruit and fulfil the purpose God has for your life.
Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 23-24, Matthew 8:5-8:27