The Tree & The Ivy

“Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You…delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19 NIV

The Tree stretched its leafy branches skyward as he reached for the drifting clouds. His roots pushed harder and dug deeper into the rich, dark soil. Handsome, healthy, and hearty, the Tree knew he was splendid—well on his way to magnificent.

The Tree was confident that he would one day be the tallest, most robust, and most beautiful tree in the woods.

It was then the Tree noticed a tiny plant sprouting at its base. He thought to himself, “What a lovely little plant. Its thick and glossy dark green leaves streaked with lovely pale veins beautifully complement the dark brown shades of my impressive trunk. I like this tiny new neighbor.”

The following morning, the Tree saw that the tiny plant now boasted many more leaves, some fully opened and others unfurling. A little rabbit hopped by for a quick bite of the tempting, tender leaves, but the Tree politely asked her to move on.

The tiny plant swiftly grew from day to day. Soon, the once-tiny plant sprouted leaf-covered tentacles that quickly reached around the Tree’s large trunk overlapping itself as it climbed higher up the Tree’s trunk. A doe and her fawn stopped to sample the tasty-looking leaves, but the Tree quickly shooed them away.

He felt regal in the ever-growing green garment that now adorned the lower half of his trunk. He was more determined than ever to protect and nurture his precious coat of leaves. If any woodland dweller stopped to smell or taste a leaf, the Tree sternly urged, “Do not touch! Be on your way!”

Days quickly passed, and then months. One morning, the Tree woke later than was his habit. He felt tired and sluggish – sapped, if you will. He noticed his branches drooped and were not as leaf-laden as before. He was a bit concerned but brightened when he saw the massive array of glossy dark green leaves winding their way to the ends of his branches. He was proud that he had so well protected and nurtured his tiny plant neighbor.

Then, one morning, the Tree awoke to find that he could no longer see the expanse of blue sky he loved or the cottony clouds that his branches once teased. All he could see was glossy dark green leaves with pale streaks.

The Tree took a deep breath, intending to blow the leaves from his face, but there was no air to breathe. He inhaled deeply, desperate for a fresh breath. Instead, the leaves clung more tightly to his face.

Too late, the Tree realized the tiny plant had stolen everything that had made him such a fine tree. His tiny plant neighbor had diverted the nutrient-rich moisture to feed its explosive growth. Everything gone. The rich soil, moisture from the rains, rays of sunlight, and even the oxygen that he desperately needed were gone to fill the voracious appetite of his no-longer tiny plant neighbor.

The Tree’s dream was dead. He would never become the tallest, most robust, and most beautiful tree in all the woods. Instead, he would die wearing a shroud of glossy leaves that were deep green with pale streaks.

While walking through the woods, my honey and I saw what had been a tree. The dead (or almost dead) tree was covered with layer upon layer of ivy vines. Nothing of the tree was visible except for tiny glimpses of tree trunk that could be seen if you bent over far enough to peer through gaps in the older, drying vines near the ground.

As we continued our walk, I thought about the tree wrapped in vines and buried in layers of glossy green ivy leaves. The analogy quickly came into focus. We (Christ-followers) are the tree. The little ivy plant is “Sin.”

Like the tiny ivy plant, Sin appears innocent at first glance – maybe even remarkable. A thing may not be harmful in and of itself, but when it becomes the main thing in your life, it is Sin.

SIN is any “thing” that:

Throws your thinking out of alignment with God’s Truth;
Creates a barrier between you and God and closes your ears to His voice;
Takes the joy out of your spiritual exercises;
Compels you to act contrary to Scripture or your conscience so that over time, you become immune to the Holy Spirit’s convicting voice;
And, finally, Sin is any “thing” that becomes a driving force in your life as it takes control of you and your priorities.

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17 NIV

Whether it appears excellent or harmful on the surface, Sin is anything that says, “I can give you something that God cannot.”

Like the Tree, we foolishly become protectors of our Sin. We try to hide, excuse, and ignore it—anything to hold on to it just a little longer. Ultimately, we do not have IT at all – IT has us.

Sin behaves like the tiny ivy. It does not give. Sin is a taker. It drains away the good that God has for you. Your spiritual growth suffers when access to the nutrients necessary for growing your faith, joy, peace, love, and contentment is severed.

“Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have kept good from you.” Jeremiah 5:25 ESV

Sin cannot take away your salvation. (Ephesians 1:13-14). But Sin gets in the way of your growth. (Isaiah 59:2)

Like the seemingly friendly ivy, once Sin gains a toe-hold, it will work nonstop to take over your life. It will sap your spiritual strength and dilute your effectiveness.

But God. As long as we have breath in our lungs, God will forgive and restore whatever brokenness stands between Him and us if we come to Him acknowledging our sin in humble repentance. (1 John 1:9)

Friend, is there a tiny “ivy” of sin attempting to take root in your heart? Perhaps it has taken root and begun to grow. Stop right now. Let it grow no further.

Run to the Father. Confess. Repent. God promises to love, forgive, and restore.