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Break up Your Fallow Ground: Thoughts on Hosea 10:12-13 and James 1:21-25

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men.” Hosea 10:12 – 13.

This passage of Scripture is a sad commentary on the state of God’s people, and not just the children of Israel, but to His people of today – to those who claim to know God.

If we are honest we as Christians must admit this to be true. How many Christian couples divorce; how many Christians live together and have premarital sex; how many Christians embezzle – the list goes on and on.

Why is this? One obvious answer would be that many of these people are not genuine Christians and followers of Christ. The other answer is that they are genuine believers, yet weak in faith because they want to fit in with the ways of the world. They rarely read God’s word, if ever, and they fall prey to the wiles of the devil.

Complacency is another culprit; a false sense of security in that we read just enough, pray just enough, and serve just enough.

Whatever the case may be, one thing is clear – the church as a whole is in no better condition that the Israelites found themselves in during the time of Hosea the prophet. Imagine, God going to such great lengths to show his people just how far they had strayed – to the point that God likened it to prostitution.

As Christians, we stake claim in being the bride of Christ; sold out to him completely – why then do we marry ourselves to this world? Practicing and approving of the same sin the non-believer partakes of on a regular basis.

This passage of Scripture challenges me to examine my faith, am I giving Jesus a bad name? Am I an accurate reflection of God’s character, or are nonbelievers shocked when they find out I am a Christian?

Obviously, we are not going to be perfect, but there is a clear distinction from active disobedience and insensitivity to the commandments of God verses having a weak moment and coming to God in humble and sincere repentance.

The challenge is to look at the condition of my heart – have I allowed God’s word to penetrate my conscience and allow it to cause me to change my behavior? Am I the same person today as I was one year ago? If so, I am only fooling myself and have fallen prey to the schemes of the enemy that would tell me I’m doing okay, and at least I’m not as bad as so-and so.

The truth is if I am too comfortable in my faith, then chances are the “ground” in my heart might be getting a tad hard for lack of Water.

So how do we break up this fallow ground? By seeking the Lord continually, not just on occasion to keep up appearances.

We must remember that Jesus warned us by telling us it is better to tie a stone around our neck and drown than it is to be a bad witness and cause other people to stumble. (Matthew 18:6)

I pray for all of us who claim the name of Christ to heed the message and break up the fallow ground of our hearts. The following passage of Scripture, in my opinion, sums it up perfectly.

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hears only, deceiving yourselves…But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 1:21-22,25

The message is clear; quit calling ourselves a Christian, or start acting like one.

Lord Jesus, may we catch a vision of you so real that seeking righteousness would not be a chore but a pleasure. May we see it for the privilege that it is.

© Teresa Ortiz World - Wide Bible Studies 2009

 

» left by Bart⁽¹⁷⁾ (3 years 330 days ago.)

Hello Teresa,

 

Opening our eyes to the truth isn't always an easy thing to do, but you are spot on with your insights to these passages of Scripture. Thank you for challenging me in my walk with the Lord. Am I the same person that I was a year ago? Have I grown in the Lord? Do I shun sin as much as I should? It is so easy to become comfortable and complacent in our Christian walk. I have some self-examination to do. Thank you for being led of the Holy Spirit to write such a challenge; it's such a blessing.

 

Every blessing to you! By His grace,

 

Bart

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» left by Teresa^(1,344) (3 years 330 days ago.)

Hi Bart, I have to say, when I started writing this, it was supposed to go in another direction. I wish I could say it was a message the Holy Spirit gave me for all the slackers out there (ha - kidding), but in truth, it was a message he gave me.  It is so easy to get complacent and this is an area God has been challenging me in lately.

I was mowing the lawn for the first time in my life and so many thoughts came to me while I came across some of the dryer spots and hardened dirt toward the end of the property that obviously doesn't get enough water.

Along with this spiritual picture God gave me, I had some other fun and more light-hearted thoughts.  ( I wrote about those on Searchwarp.) Who knew a person could have so many different thoughts while mowing the lawn. 

Thank you for the encouraging words, it is so much easy to share the sweet things of the Lord, rather than the challenging things.  Blessings to you! In Christ, Teresa

 

 

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» left by verna Mull from Apache Juct. A (3 years 122 days ago.)

Teresa, This is a wonderful article. So sad that so many of us have not broken up the fallow ground, and are following "ruts" instead of the Lord. Complacency seems to be the tone for us so many times. Thanks for writing this, even though I am late at reading it!

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» left by Anonymous (3 years 82 days ago.)

Thank you Verna, it is something I always have to watch for in my own walk.  It's to easy to become complacent and slip backward.

Blessings to you!

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» left by Anonymous (3 years 86 days ago.)

I was blessed when I read this article.

 

Pius

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» left by Anonymous (3 years 76 days ago.)

Thank you for stopping by, so glad you were blessed. This is my prayer for my self. It's far to easy to get comfy in a not so good way.

Blessings to you always! Teresa

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» left by Lance (2 years 328 days ago.)

So say we all.

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» left by Steven from Texas (2 years 236 days ago.)

Well thanks TRUE sister in Christ, time to get the plow to the field of my heart. My heart cry to The Lord this day was, "I want to bear good fruit and glorify YOU Lord" and His response was to lead me here. I am TRULY grateful.

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» left by Teresa Ortiz (2 years 236 days ago.)

Hello Steve!

Praise the Lord you made this commitment in your heart. I'm so glad he used this devotional to encourage and challenge you. And thank you for taking the time to share this news which has encouraged me.

Please come back often and share your progress - shine for the Lord.  In the name of Jesus, amen! Teresa

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» left by Teresa Ray from Canton Ga (2 years 172 days ago.)

Hello Teresa, my name is Teresa as well. This reading really touched my heart and spirit. I agree that it is far past time for all Christians to break up the fallow ground to our hearts and get busy doing exactly what God wants us to do. It is time to be a born again believer in action and not in name only.

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» left by teresa ortiz (2 years 163 days ago.)

Hi Teresa.

Amen to your words as well.

Time is drawing near and far too many Christians are losing their way. God help us all to stay rooted and grounded in His word.

 

 

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» left by Hiram Mendez from fairfax, VA (2 years 135 days ago.)

Hello Teresa

 

As I was trying t find info on "break up the fallow ground" I stumble on this. It is so true as I realize I have gotting become complacent in my ways. Not that I am doing anything bad but got careless in eating spiritual walk. That’s God for using you on telling me the state I am in.

 

Once again that you

 

Hiram

 

 

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» left by Teresa Ortiz (2 years 135 days ago.)

Hello Hiram.

I'm so thankful this message has helped you. I pray you will be renewed and refreshed to walk closer with the Lord. Your Father loves you and desires a close walk with you. He has much to teach you and much he wants to share with you. 

Please come back and share what great things the Lord is doing for you. Blessings to you! Teresa

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» left by David from USA (2 years 68 days ago.)

Teresa, I don't know you or anything about you but I appreciate your insights. I am researching these verses in Hosea (sermon preparation for Sunday) and came upon your words. Great stuff! Blessings to you.

 

David

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» left by Anonymous (2 years 67 days ago.)

Hello David.

Thank you for the encouraging words. Praise the Lord this has been useful to you.  May God continue to led your way and speak a mighty word through you on Sunday.

Come back and visit word-wide often :-)  Blessings to you! Teresa

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