Devotional: Choked Out

The worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 4:19


The Word of God is alive and powerful as the book of Hebrews says. It is life. It breathes life. But this verse tells me that if I'm not watchful, the power of the Word can be choked and become unable to bear fruit in my life. This means that anytime the reading of Scriptures makes no difference or change, the problem lies within me.

The verse points out things that will choke out the Word. These are:
1. cares of this world which are not necessities but rather, worthless distractions
2. getting hooked on the security of wealth or influence and position among peers,
3. desires for "all the other things" which may be a covetous spirit or a discontent over things we don't have or are not healthy for us to have.

Today I pray for watchfulness and for enablement to keep allowing the Word's transforming work in my life.