Bombarded by Bamboo

The other day I was conducting an open house for a property we are going to sell at auction. I noticed that the house was surrounded by a natural fence of trees and foliage. I didn’t think much about it until a neighbor stopped by and commented how this house did not used to be so enclosed by greenery. “It seemed to grow up overnight,” he said.

I started looking closer at the tree-like growth in the backyard and realized it was actually bamboo stalks. Something clicked in my brain as I remembered things I had heard about bamboo. Though it has many uses there are also some down sides to it. It is often used to produce a fast growing natural privacy fence separating properties because it grows so quickly. It grows by sending out roots, or rhizomes, in all directions which in turn sprout new plants. Sometimes growth can measure 4 feet in 24 hours.

Bamboo may seem to be a quick fix for privacy issues, but it can also cause devastating results if it is not kept under control.  Its roots must be continually cut back to keep it from spreading to undesirable areas and taking over the entire area. The rhizomes may damage sprinkler systems and sprinkler heads. They can also ruin swimming pools, house foundations, and retaining walls since they can even penetrate concrete.Sin is the same way. When you let a small sin take root in your heart the devil gains a foothold. The sin quickly begins to grow and put out roots that multiply and cause terrible damage. Soon the evil one has developed a stronghold that is not easily broken.

Is there any hope for a yard bombarded by bamboo? Yes, there is, but it is not an easy fix. First, you must dig up the clump, removing as many of the roots as possible. But this is not enough. You then must diligently spray any new shoots that emerge with the strongest herbicide you can find. If you give up too soon, the plant will return in full fury. It could take from 2-3 years to fully abolish the infringing plant.

Satan’s strongholds can also be abolished. Second Corinthians 10:3-5 says, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” When we humble ourselves before God, submit to Him, and resist the devil, our enemy will flee.  As with bamboo, breaking down strongholds may take a while, but God has the power to fight for us if we allow Him to.

Bamboo can be a useful plant. But left unchecked and allowed to grow without boundaries, it can prove to be a noxious enemy. Remember, DO NOT plant bamboo in your yard without sufficient knowledge of how to maintain it properly, and DO NOT allow sin to take root in your heart. And if spiritual bamboo has taken over your life, there is hope – God has promised that He can, and will, bring the rogue stand under control. Will you allow Him to help you?

Love,

Mama