Every day we have an interior struggle of good vs evil. We can be inspired to do good and tempted to do bad. The gift that we are given by God is free will and we get the final say as to what force we let in, good or evil. The one caveat is that by choosing one force, we push away the other.
In the parable of the sower of the seeds, we see that rich soil produces much fruit whereas rocky and thorny soil doesn’t. When we make our soul rich and take care of it, then goodness grows easily. When our souls are not taken care of then the weeds of evil can grow.
Everyone makes mistakes and commits sins from time to time. The degree of sin affects the fertility of our soul. A venial sin taints our soul, but still allows Jesus to be present within us. A mortal sin taints the soul so much that it expels Jesus and prevents grace from growing within us.
The opposite can be true as well. When we cleanse our soul through the sacrament of reconciliation and invite Jesus back into our life, evil is expelled. It is hard for evil to grow in a well nourished soul. The more we pray, the less likely the devil will be present in our life. Satan doesn’t want to hang around someone saying the rosary or praying fervently to God. When we pray to God, it annoys the devil just as someone who sings “Baby Shark” over and over annoys others.
The following Bible passage from Deuteronomy sums up this message. “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him.” It’s easy to say, I choose God, but harder to put it in practice. If we cultivate our souls through practice and persistence, we will see our beautiful bounty when harvest time arrives.
