Roots - - - Healthy Or Harmful?

Definition:

Roots – the fundamental cause, basis, or essence of something, or the source from which something derives

Healthy roots are essential to the plants and trees in nature in order for them to grow and produce their fruit or flowers. In this same way, the roots that we have in our lives determine that which is produced from within us.

Our attitudes, judgments, evaluations of life, and general dispositions all come from different roots that have been planted in our lives.

Commonly we refer to our ancestors as our "roots". The information that we learn concerning them intrigue us very much, and they can make us very proud or embarrassed.

For the believer, however, his roots go deep into the Word of God. The solidness of these roots depends on God's ability to carry out what He has promised in the Scriptures. We know that His abilities have never diminished, and so then, these roots are powerfully planted and will never pass away.

As we consider the complexity of our existence on this earth, discovering the roots of the problems in our lives will affect very much the outcome as we try to fix our brokenness. Sometimes the fix is easy, but most of the time it's really difficult.

When we talk about the word "roots", its application is wide-ranging. We use it when talking about our hair, our problems, plants, thoughts, ideas, and philosophies. It's not uncommon that someone may ask you, ".....where are your roots"? What they really want to know is where you grew up and what has influenced your life.

The Bible also expresses many different thoughts about the use of the word "roots". Just consider these verses:

Deuteronomy 29:18 NIV

18  Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.

Proverbs 12:3 NLT

3  Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.

Proverbs 12:12 NIV

12  The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

Isaiah 11:10 NIV

10  In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.

 Romans 11:16 NIV

16  If the part of the dough offered as first-fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

 1 Timothy 6:10 NIV

10  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Hebrews 12:15 NIV

15  See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

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Before I can advance further in this talk, you will need to be clear on the premise that I am teaching. Most of the time what we call "problems" are not really the problem at all, they are only the symptoms of a much deeper problem. When we confuse symptoms with the real problem, we are leading ourselves into an endless circle of managing difficulties that spring up and plague us. This causes us to be powerless to find a fix concerning anything really troubling us.

It is important to examine the roots within us when there are symptoms that show problems are present. This is a significant concept that is easily missed when we are dealing with reality in this world.

Having been a preacher/pastor/spiritual counselor for over 30 years has allowed me to log quite a few hours attempting to help others deal with their own issues. Most of the people who came to me wanted their symptoms fixed. They never thought that the anger, guilt, or whatever else they were dealing with had a deeper root from where it sprang. They were not concerned about getting to the root of the problem. In fact, I'm quite sure that they were not distinguishing any differences between the two.

Until we know the difference between the two, roots and symptoms, we will not adequately be able to approach fixing the deep problems of our lives.

Examples:

•   If a husband and wife have been bickering and fighting, they might perceive this as the problem in their marriage. This is not the real problem at all. Their fighting is just a symptom of something deeper. Maybe it is carnality, self-centeredness, or another problem yet to be discovered. The things that usually cause the problem in their lives generally come from having a wrong spiritual understanding of their relationship to Christ. This is more likely the root of the problem.

• Ø          Pornography and lust may be identified as a person's problems, however, these are still    just symptoms of a much deeper problem. The root problem may be the love of fleshly, carnal ways, or simply refusing to set one's mind on things above as the Scripture tells us. It also could be that this person has never been regenerated in Christ. He may still be a slave to sin.

When we as friends, counselors, pastors, or professionals try to help others by treating their symptoms only, we are relegating ourselves to be a "problem manager". Many counselors find themselves in a role like that. Wouldn't it be smarter to discover the real problem and then work on that instead?

I was talking to a friend once who brought up the subject of "anger management".

During our discussion I said to him, " Instead of managing your anger, wouldn't it be better to get rid of it altogether?"

The answer certainly sounds obvious, but it's not at all an easy fix. Praying, seeking God's plan, surrendering our lives, asking for the Holy Spirit's intervention and empowerment, claiming God's promises, abandoning ourselves,........ all of these things come into play when we try to fix the root of our problems.

And when the fix does come, it may have to be applied anew every single day of our lives.

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A very controversial book that I enjoyed reading in the last few years is called The Shack. I know that the book is just a fictional story and is not trying to teach any doctrine. However, many applications of Scripture appear to be in its pages.

One part of the book that I really enjoyed was when the one representing the Holy Spirit is having the main character help him clean out a garden.

Here is that part of the book:

    Obviously the short break, which had been for Mack's sake, was over......... Sarayu thrust a hand shovel at Mack, picking up the rake.


"To prepare this ground, we must dig up the roots.............It is hard work, but well worth it. If the roots are not here, then they cannot do what comes naturally and harm the seed we will plant." 

   "Okay," Mack grunted as they both got down on their knees along the freshly cleared plot. Sarayu was somehow able to reach deep underground and find the ends of the roots, bringing them effortlessly to the surface. She left the shorter ones for Mack, who used the hand shovel to dig under and pull them up. Then they shook the dirt from the roots  and threw them into one of the piles that Mack had earlier raked together.

                                   .........................................................................

She turned to him." MacKenzie, you are such a delight! Thank you for all your hard work!"


 "I didn't do all that much, really," he said apologetically." I mean, look at this mess." His gaze moved over the garden that surrounded them." But it really is beautiful, and full of you, Sarayu. Even though it seems like lots  of work still needs to be done, I feel strangely at home and comfortable here."

The two looked at each other and grinned.  


Sarayu stepped toward him until she had invaded his personal space."And well you should, MacKenzie, because this garden is your soul. This mess is you!"

(How often do I resemble that last remark!)

The indication of the story here is that we need to rip up the bad roots of harmful things in our lives. I know that this is a fictional book, but the concept of not allowing the roots of sinful and hurtful things to remain in our lives is also backed up by Scripture.

Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT

21  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him,

22  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

23  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

24  Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy.

Our "former way of life" consists of the roots that need to be dug up and thrown away.

As we willingly allow the Holy Spirit in us to take hold and develop our minds, emotions, and faith in Him, this will happen. Righteousness and holiness will be produced through us by Jesus living His life out through us.

It is also important to understand that in order to get rid of some problems rooted deep within us, we have to begin by managing the symptoms. People who are lying, stealing, or being violent toward others, need to stop those unhealthy actions while they go forward toward discovering the root problem and fixing it.

Have you ever asked why so many drug rehabilitation places have their clients relapse over and over again? Most of the time those facilities will treat drug abuse as the problem to be conquered, they do not recognize that it is just a symptom. Usually, once they have the symptom under control for a short period of time, the patient is then released. Sadly he or she usually falls back into the same old routine of drug abuse because the root of the problem is still there. An appropriate remedy has not yet been discovered or applied.

We have something so much better than that to treat the roots of our problems. We have an authority to go to in order to discover the solution to whatever ails us.

If I am angry, I can go to the Lord and ask him to show me where my anger comes from.

If I am depressed, I can ask the Lord and trust Him to lead me in the ways to discover the roots of my depression. The Lord may use a counselor, or book, or sermon, but He will use something or someone to help me.

Even if we have to use medicines to control our symptoms for a while, we must still be pursuing the root cause of our problems if we want to truly be free of them.

..... Do you want to be free from dangerous, damaging roots in your life? Get with a Christian mentor or counselor and pursue where the roots are coming from.

And please, don't refuse to get medical help if you need it.

Just remember, the greatest help that we can possibly have comes first from the Lord:

Colossians 2:20 NLT

20  You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world.........

Romans 6:22 NLT

22  But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

John 8:36 NLT

36  So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

Being made free from the destructive, unhealthy roots will develop you in such a way so that the healthy roots can grow and make you into what God plans for you to be.

Your marriage.

Your relationships.

Your whole life.......

... sprouting up from the roots that God places within you.

With love, and humbly submitted,

Dan

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