So far we’ve explored the theological truths wrapped up in tree seeds, roots and trunks. Today we’re looking at leaves and how leaves help us filter out what is harmful and keep what is good. Join us for day 4 of our study with Eryn Lynum, master naturalist, Bible teacher and author!
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Transcription:
Guest Speaker: Eryn Lynum
Welcome to the Bible for Busy People Podcast. I’m Eryn Lynum, master naturalist, Bible teacher and author. And this week we are studying trees in the Bible. So far we have explored the theological truths wrapped up in tree seeds, roots, and trunks. And today we’re looking at leaves, specifically how tree leaves help us filter out what is harmful and keep what is good. God calls us to live holy and pure lives. Of course, while we live on this planet that is broken by the curse of sin, we still experience our sin nature and tendencies. However we can know that when we choose to follow Christ is our Savior, God sees us as completely forgiven, clean and holy. In theological terms, this is known as our position and our condition. So, our position is this; we are fully accepted and forgiven in Christ. God looks at us and he doesn’t see our sin.Instead, he sees Christ’s righteousness on our behalf. And our condition is this; we still struggle with sin, but God is acting on our behalf through His word and through his spirit. He is aligning our hearts and our minds and our behaviors with his desires. He is sanctifying us. This means that God is setting us apart and making us more like himself. And this sanctification is a lifelong process. So, we see this connection between our position and our condition. Beautifully spelled out in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, which says,
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Did you catch that? Christ is our righteousness, meaning that he has made us right with God, and he is our sanctification. Meaning he is actively setting us apart and making us more like himself. Today we’re focusing on our condition. We are sinners affected by the sin nature, but we live in this hope of a God who is making us new. One way that God sanctifies us is by helping us renew our minds. Listen to Romans 12:2,
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Jesus completely revolutionizes the way that we think, and as we follow him, we gain this eternal perspective on life. Colossians 3:1-2 says,
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
So, what does all of this have to do with trees? Well, you see, trees are a filter. In fact, they filter our atmosphere. Did you know that without trees we couldn’t even breathe? This is because God has so beautifully designed trees to clean the air around us. A filter’s job is to remove anything dirty or harmful or unnecessary. While trees do this, although they don’t have nostrils or lungs, they actually inhale or take in air. Think of a fish. Its gills allow it to take in air underwater. While a tree’s leaves or needles have these small gill like holes that enable the leaves to take in air through their leaves, trees take in this air around us and they keep what we don’t need… Carbon monoxide. And then the tree produces what we do need, good, clean oxygen. And it exhales that back into our atmosphere. So this is why if you’ve ever walked through a forest of trees, the air feels cleaner because it actually is.
Well, just like a trees leaves filter our air. God’s word and his Holy Spirit filter our thoughts, which of course drive our attitudes and our actions. As we familiarize ourselves with scripture, we better understand God’s heart and what he wants for us. Then, we can sense and identify things that are not from him. So just like a filter, the Bible helps us make sure dangerous and harmful things don’t hang around in our hearts and our minds.
In scripture, we see a contrast between flourishing leaves and withering leaves. So consider these comparisons. Proverbs 11:28 says,
The righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
And Psalm 1:3 says,
A person who meditates on God’s word day and night is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit and season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
So let’s contrast those two verses with Isaiah one where God speaks against evil doers and those who have turned away from him. We read an Isaiah 1:30,
For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.
Think about a tree with withered leaves. It is no longer able to act as a filter. The tree itself is going to die for lack of food, and it cannot contribute healthy air to the atmosphere. It’s no longer useful. So, are you flourishing or withering today? This week, pay attention to your thoughts. When you identify a thought that is harmful, sinful, or simply not in line with God’s best, filter that thought out through prayer and by going to God’s word. If I can further challenge you, go do this practice in the woods or in an area with trees. Take a walk through trees. Spend time in prayer for your thought life. Ask God to help you turn your thoughts away from the world and to him. And as you walk and pray, think on these following scriptures. Proverbs 4:23 says,
Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do, flows from it.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says,
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
And Philippians 4:8 says,
Finally, 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.
Dear Heavenly Father, God our creator. Help us Lord to turn our thoughts toward you. Filter our minds through your Word and your spirit. Amen.
Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. Find more podcasts that will recharge you at onpurposely.com.
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