Christian Living
A Time to Plant Uproot Teardown and Buildup
When Solomon shared the Teaching on God’s appointed Time and Seasons, he gave us some practical descriptions of TIMELY EVENTS that we will encounter as Believers (See Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV). I’m led to share 4 TIMELY activities that we will encounter as Christians.
1. A Time to plant,
2. And a Time to uproot what is planted.
3. A Time to tear down,
4. And a Time to build up. (Ecclesiastes 3:2b, 3b NAS)
I purposely skipped the first part of the verses 2 and 3. I’m not trying to mislead anyone I’m just focusing on Planting, uprooting, tearing down, and building up! These 4 principles of living a Christian lifestyle will make more sense when we take a closer look at the Practical application of these verses.
Solomon and Jeremiah
There’s a Divine connection that the Holy Spirit wishes to reveal to us about the concept of Planting, Uprooting, Tearing down, and Building up that Solomon pointed out and the Calling that God had on Jeremiah’s life. When God initially Called Jeremiah God said to him;
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a Prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5 NAS)
See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant (Jeremiah 1:10 NAS)
Solomon was appointed King of Israel in 970 B.C., and Jeremiah was appointed a Prophet in 627 B.C. it’s not a coincidence that the Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to write Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, about the TIMES and SEASONS we will Plant, Uproot, Tear down, and Build up. Then 343 years later we have God Calling Jeremiah to the Ministry of a Prophet, to do the same thing Solomon wrote about which is—to pluck up, break down, destroy, overthrow, to build and to plant.
Solomon was a Builder and Developer he also planted gardens (See Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 NKJV). Jeremiah was a spokesman for God—Jeremiah revealed to the nations the upcoming judgments that God had predicted that came to pass. Jeremiah was anointed by God to preach against those nations who practice ungodly things (See Jeremiah 1:4-10 NAS).
Principles of Planting and Uprooting
When the Bible speaks of Planting it’s not referring to agricultural concepts of cultivating soil and sowing seeds of fruits and vegetables or raising livestock on a farm alone. The Bible uses the term Planting in a broader meaning and practical application of;
1. Farming- to plant or sow seeds in soil.
2. Carpentry- to fix or set a pole or pillar firmly in position.
3. Ministry (Apostle or Missionary) - to establish or found a Church congregation. (1 Cor.3:6 KJV)
4. A Teacher or Educator- to implant in the mind principles or teachings.
5. In Spying- to plant an agent or person to search out the land.
6. Preacher- Parable of the Sower. (Mark 4:1-20 NKJV)
7. By faith we have been planted with Jesus in the likeness of His death (Romans 6:5 KJV)
8. Whatever God had not planted it will be uprooted (Matthew 15:13 KJV)
9. If we delight in the Word of God and meditate on it we will be like a tree planted by the waters bringing forth fruit in his Season (Psalm 1:1-3 KJV) Being rooted in God.
The Practical Application of Planting and Uprooting
We need to see the simple application to Planting and Uprooting. As believers we are all (Called) to apply (Psalms 1:1-3 KJV) so we may be planted in the kingdom of God and bring forth fruit it it’s Season. Yet, the meaning of Planting the Word of God should be our second application. By simply saying, “Jesus Loves You”, to someone who is hurting or who needs to hear it, is a great way to start Planting Powerful phrases that will cause some people to be upset and others to become inquisitive later on about that phrase and it’s something that we need to begin doing if we are not doing it now. For most people the phrase, “Jesus Loves You” may come into their minds at a later Time when they may be experiencing a crisis situation that may lead them to go to church or seek out a Christian for spiritual counsel and it may ultimately bring them Salvation.
As believers we should not be afraid to Plant Bible phrases, wise sayings, and principles. We hear it all the time. Don’t Judge, go the extra mile, and the Good Samaritan; just to name a few. By Planting Christian phrases during our everyday conversations at work, the gym, the park or anywhere we find ourselves we bring the Christian culture into the perverted world. There is a balance to this and we should not be obnoxious about it but be wise in sharing these phrases so we may win over the souls that God will bring us into contact with.
The third thing we must understand about the concept of Planting and Uprooting is the Religious people and the religious phrases or teachings that are out there today. When Jesus was confronted by the religious leaders about the disciples not having any ethics when it came to washing their hands before they ate, Jesus gave them several lessons of their religious practices that had no approval from God, but were merely traditions of men. After Jesus set them straight the disciples said, You know that the Pharisees were offended after hearing all that you said. (Matthew 15:1-12 NKJV) Jesus said every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be uprooted. (Matthew 15:13 NKJV)
When we become Born-again Christians we are most likely to have religious concepts, added teachings that God never implemented or told us to apply in our lives that we picked up during our youth. These (PLANTS) in our minds that are nothing more than old traditions that may sound spiritual but has no effect or power will keep us in the dark to the Truth that God desires for us to experience.
For example, the Pharisees considered washing hands before you ate to be more important than caring for your parents in their old age. Well, Jesus said that whatever God did not plant (established as a Principle or command) to be applied by a sincere believer it will eventually be uprooted by the Truth of God’s Word. Jesus called the Pharisees blind leaders of the blind who will eventually fall into a ditch with their foolish concepts and bring others down with them (Matthew 15:14 NKJV).
For many years we’ve been hearing traditions that’s been Planted in our minds. Praying repetitiously the (Our Father Prayer) is one tradition that was never God’s Principle for prayer. Jesus explained to us how we should pray. And being repetitious is a No, No! (See Matthew 6:6-9 NKJV) I shared more teaching on this subject in the articles, “In this manner therefore pray,” “Pray to your Father” and “Our Father who is in Heaven”. The only way we can uproot or pluck out the lies and traditions is to implant the Truth of God’s Word into our hearts by reading and meditating on it and catching the needed revelation to practically apply it.
Teardown and Build up
Tearing things down or tearing them out requires a skill set that must be done by highly trained professionals in the Construction Field. If not, you are liable to get yourself and others seriously injured or tragically killed and experience property and equipment damaged costing thousands even millions of dollars. The Concept of Tearing down and Building up applies to Counseling, Teaching and Preaching without prior training with experience, we will say the wrong thing and create havoc. People will be turned off to the Truth of God’s Word and practical principles that was shared and instead of being excited about it, they will walk away confused and bitter.
When Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount He had a great approach to share the Truth of God’s Word. Jesus started out by saying, how Bless they are… (Matthew 5:3-12 NKJV) Jesus stated who they were, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13 NKJV) “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14 NKJV) You have heard that it was said to those of old… (Matthew 5:21 NKJV) But I say to you that… (Matthew 5:22 NKJV) By having this unique approach to share the Truth of God’s Word to a people who have been indoctrinated by traditions and religious concepts this presentation will capture the people’s attention to want to hear more about God. This is why I teach the way I do, I share more on who you really are in Christ than what you use to be.
Today many people are tearing each down by web-based gossip and slander. The media paints an ugly picture faster than giving the whole truth. The world presents us with so many controversies that the original story that can be told in a paragraph is turned into a four page main story in the gossip magazines or paper. We need to learn how to tear down the lies, the evil concepts and false doctrines that people are living by. It takes God’s Divine Wisdom and Understanding to do it. It also takes Time to search out Truth by careful study and proper application. Solomon said, there is a Time for everything, and a Season for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV).
The Time we take to learn the Art of Tearing Down and Building Up is worth the trouble because there are only a few voices out there in the Kingdom of God who are doing it. I commend and appreciate men like Joel Osteen and women like Joyce Meyer who know how to present the Truth of God’s word and know how to Build God’s people up like Jesus did in the Sermon on the Mount. May God Bless you to learn how to Plant, Uproot, Teardown and Buildup His Kingdom, in Jesus’ name amen.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 9100 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Manuel Vargas or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 9100 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.