Identify The Root

IDENTIFY THE ROOTS

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

**Root: the underground part of a plant, absorption, aeration, food storage. The anchor, support, the origin, source, underlying, core, to help develop, to fix, essence.

OFTEN SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS EXIST BECAUSE WE CAN NOT RECOGNIZE THAT OUR ENEMY WEARS DISGUISES.

In warfare 200 years ago one side would wear bright red coats, one side would wear bright blue. They would march up in a single line face each other and shoot until one side won. Not so now days.

The enemy does not knock on the back door in a red suit, have horns and a tail. He is subtle, tricky, sneaky snake. Satan often hides his true identity. He will never reveal his true character. He will never say this will end in death. He wears CAMOUFLAGE. His face is hidden by a mask. He dresses up real pretty.

Satan rules BY THE ROOT. The root of the problem is the heart. THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE PROBLEM OF THE HEART. Sin’s outward appearance seeks to obscure his real intentions and the underlying character of his deeds. He comes to steal, kill and destroy.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

OUR ENEMY HAS A FALSE FRONT… A VENEER… SOMETHING THAT LOOKS GOOD ON THE SURFACE BUT IS COVERED WITH CHEAPER STUFF AND GLUE. Let us call it WINDOW SHOPPING…

Ever see a tobacco advertisement with a deformed person from surgery fighting for their breath? Ever see a booze commercial at a wreck seen, 27 kids killed on a church bus?

We must search the ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

COVER UP? THERE ARE MANY UNSEEN ISSUES THAT WILL BE REVEAL… THERE IS AN AXE THAT WILL TELL.

Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

I have been told that you can cut off a dandelion’s flower and the plant will still thrive. A dandelion’s roots can grow 10 feet deep. To kill the yellow flower you have to kill it at the roots.

IF THERE ARE NO ROOTS THERE WILL BE NO FRUITS. ROOTS OR THE LACK OF ROOTS WILL TELL.

Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

SOME MEAN PERSON SOWED TARES IN WITH THE GOOD SEEDS… WHAT WILL WE DO? ROOTS?

Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

Shall we pluck them up? No we have a root problem… entangled roots?

IF THE ROOT IS OK… LIFE WILL BE OK.

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

BAD ROOTS HURT MORE THAN JUST THAT PLANT.

Hebrews 12:12-15 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MONEY, BUT THE LOVE OF MONEY AND GREED ARE BAD ROOTS.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

WE MUST BE ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN LOVE…

Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.

WE CAN HAVE HOPE! THERE IS GREAT HOPE IN A CUT DOWN TREE! THE ROOT? THE RESTORATION, THE ROOT OF LIFE… THIS GOES FOR GOOD AND BAD…

Cut down a tree when the conditions are right, the moisture is right, shoots will come forth and a new plant will grow.

Job 14:7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

Job 14:7 (MSG) For a tree there is always hope. Chop it down and it still has a chance— its roots can put out fresh sprouts.

CONCLUSION: Barney Fife has some sound words: NIP IT, NIP IT IN THE BUD… DO YOU KNOW THE ROOT CAUSE OF YOUR PROBLEM? Quit prognosis or diagnosis?? Find the root of the issue. There is something (probably hidden) that keeps this mess a mess.