Deuteronomy 29:18
“so that there will not be among you a man or woman, or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of those nations; that there will not be among you a root bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood.”
This verse speaks of the decay that occurs in one’s life who serves idols. An idol is a passion, interest or drive that is prominent in one’s life at the expense of connecting with God. This is where the initial question surfaced (in part one) that we don’t always do what’s good for us. Those that aren’t submitting to Christ are harming themselves.
What’s the problem? It doesn’t have to be the interest. An obedient christian could have these same hobbies, yet kept in balance. It’s when we aren’t submitting to God. Isaiah 14:13,14 speaks of Satan’s rebellion. Each of his statements begin with “I will”. This is the opposite of “Thy will be done.” When we put anything before The Lord, we are turning our backs to Him and cutting off the flow of His love and power.
What’s the result? The one who has idols is cutting off the life of God. Things grow stale and fowl without Him. Today’s verse says there will be “a root bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood.” There is growth, but not good growth.
Here’s more about this poisonous fruit. Hebrews 15:10 says, “Be careful that no one falls short of the grace of God, so that no root of bitterness will spring up to cause trouble and defile many.” When we don’t get what we want, we can grow bitter (our idolatry is interrupted). This reference details how it begins within and grows outward. Others are pollinated with it and the bad fruit is flourishes in others.
Lord, help us to submit to You. Help us to keep the passageways of Your love and grace open. Let not any bad roots be within.