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What Seeds Are Growing in Your Garden?

All life begins with a seed. 

In the garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve dwelt, they had dominion over all the animals and the land. The LORD had provided everything that they would ever need in that beautiful place. Adam and Eve knew that they could eat the fruit from any tree in the garden, except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (ref Gen 2:17; 3:2-3). One day the deceitful serpent approached Eve and questioned her, asking if God really said that she couldn’t eat from the tree. She responded and let the serpent know that God had instructed them to eat from any tree in the garden, except the tree in the middle of the garden. God said if they did touch it, or eat from it then they would surely die. Then the serpent proceeded to plant a seed in (Eve) the woman’s mind. He began to tell her that surely she wouldn’t die, and that God knew that if she did eat from the tree she would be as a god, knowing good and evil (ref Gen 3:4-5).

Now most people know that story very well simply, because it’s the story at the beginning of the Bible. It’s also extremely popular because it details the fall of mankind. It’s interesting to know that what truly brought mankind into a state of sin actually started with a seed. We know that seeds are used to grow crops, fruit, and plants. A seed also comes from the sperm of a man and is needed to impregnate a woman for her to conceive a child. A seed must reproduce something after its kind. Meaning, it will give birth to something that has its DNA and carries its nature or function. In Hebrew, the word for seed is zeh`rah`, which figuratively means fruit. Its root word zaw-rah` means to conceive. The mind is the place that controls thoughts, emotions, memories, the way we process things in life and our way of reasoning. 

So, let’s envision the mind being like a womb. A seed must have a place to inhabit for it to grow and mature into something. One of the definitions of the word conceived is to take into one’s mind. When Eve was receiving the words from the serpent’s lips, she was in fact taking in his seed. That false word was impregnating her mind and that seed began to grow into something that was opposite of God’s nature. She disobeyed the LORD and decided that the fruit from this tree was good enough to eat, and that it would make her wise, so she took from it, ate, and gave some to Adam (ref Gen 3:6). Prior to listening to the serpent, Eve only knew those things that were good and pleasing in the Lord’s sight because she only had His seed in her. Now she had allowed another, unfamiliar, tainted seed into the garden of her mind. 

The Bible speaks about the 12 fruits of the Spirit. These are all character traits of our Heavenly Father. The fruits are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, righteousness, truth, and praise. As mentioned, the word for seed in the Hebrew means fruit. God impregnates His people’s minds with His Word when we receive it. God’s Word is likened to a seed (ref Luke 8:11). When we conceive the Word of God then we must give birth to His character and nature. 

So, every day there is a battle taking place in our minds whether we know it or not. The enemy wants to sneak into the garden of our minds to plant His seeds of deception, divisiveness, anger, hate, wickedness, disbelief, pridefulness, self-indulgence, etc. All humanity was born in sin or iniquity as David mentioned in Scripture (ref Psalm 51:5). However, the Lord never intended for us to stay in this sin nature, separated from Him. He wants to see His nature and His character in all His children. He desires for His people to be transformed by His Holy Word. Romans 12:2 says,

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” 

Romans 12:2

We must ask ourselves if our thoughts, actions, and character line up with the Word of God. What kind of fruit is our garden producing? If it doesn’t look like the fruits of the Spirit, which is God’s character, then that must mean someone else has been in our garden planting corrupt seeds. The truth of God’s Word must be sown deep within the garden of our minds, so we can give birth to God’s nature. This is what brings us back into His presence. This brings us back into His image, which is what His plan was from the very beginning (ref Gen 1:26). 

“Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or You can grow weeds.”

~ Author Unknown 

If you are reading this article, and you want to understand God’s Word on a deeper level, email connect@voh.church to inquire about getting registered for orientation. Here you will meet others who are hungry for the Word of God and want to be transformed by His Word. There are a variety of Bible study classes that will engage you and bring a deeper understanding of Scripture. We look forward to seeing you soon! Blessings!


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