As Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Cor. 3:7–8).

The first summer in this house, my mom and I dug our hands into the small garden between the front and back steps. Weeds grew and jammed their way throughout the garden, choking out or hiding all of the vibrant flowers the previous owner had planted. We pulled up weeds and rearranged flowers under the hot sun while every type of bug and fly swarmed around us. Afterwards, we wiped the sweat from our brows and scrubbed dirt from under our fingernails.

Within days, I noticed new weeds poking through the dirt. I didn’t think much of it; I pulled them out and moved on. But they kept growing. They expanded. They fought to take over my garden again.

The next summer, I stared at my garden in disgust. All the literal blood and sweat my mother and I shed over this little garden appeared to be in vain. The garden was in the same state as it was the year before, when I moved in. In my lack of experience, I believed that once weeds were hauled out, I wouldn’t have to worry about them anymore.

As you look around at the current state of the church, your heart may sink in a similar way. Despite your efforts to prepare theologically rich and engaging small group Bible studies, you see your students turning to fluffier ones with incorrect doctrines mixed in. Regardless of how often you warn about the trending false teachings in the church, still more people are reading the “theologians” and “teachers” who propagate those very doctrines. Even after the many conversations you’ve had with your friends, they still don’t understand why you’re concerned about the elements of worship (they might even suggest you’re overreacting).

Are you tired? Exhausted? At a loss for words? Weary? Perhaps you’re not only exhausted but fed up with the circling conversations and the hateful replies you get. You’re crushed from being condemned for holding fast to the gospel. You’re tired of the eye-rolling and the chuckles that happen whenever you begin to tell someone the dangers of false doctrine. You just want to be spoken to kindly and taken seriously.

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