Matthew 13:3-9 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
In this parable, Jesus tells about the same seed (God's Word) being sown, but different temperatures of a person's heart and their willingness to receive God's Word. The seed sown is the word of God. The sower is our Savior Jesus Christ.
In the first example, there is a careless hearer of the word of God. We must stay in The Word and keep it constantly on our mind and in our spirit. The enemy will be sure to rob us of The Word if we do not guard our minds and protect it. When The Lord speaks something to you, write it down and speak it out. The enemy can not steal what you speak with your mouth.
The second example tells about how hypocrites are like the stony ground. They often get the start of a true believer. Some are glad to be in church and hear The Word but do not have a change of heart or have a commitment to change. When the trials of life come, they will go back to their old ways because there were never any real roots. The Word that they received with their mind, was tested but it didn't endure because it didn't reach their heart. Don't try to intellectualize the Holy Spirit. It won't work. For healthy changes to come to pass, let The Word of God into your heart.
The third example tells about a person with worldly heart and sin. Much like thorns, sin entangles and scratches our walk with God. This person hears The Word of God but sin encroaches to choke out the goodness of The Word. The things of this world can not deceive us unless we allow the sin and put our trust in them. When opportunities arise saying "do wrong or do as you please" stand up and shout, "No devil! I will not do your will BUT I declare I will do God's Will in Jesus' name." And the devil will flee from you because the devil can not stick around when the name of Jesus is spoken. Amen!
In the fourth example, Jesus speaks of true Christians. What sets apart the good ground was fruitfulness. Christ doesn't say that this good ground is perfect and has no stones or thorns. Jesus spoke of fertile ground that "yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty". All are not the same and we should aim at the highest to bring forth the most fruit.
John 10:10 The thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
In John 10, Jesus tells how the enemy is a thief and he has come to steal, kill and destroy The Word of God that has been planted. BUT Jesus also tell that He has come that we may have an abundant life.
I challenge you to search your heart. What type of "hearer" are you? I pray by faith that every person reading this, is or will become, the hearer that receives The Word on good ground. If there is anything worth "hearing" in this world, it is God's word. Type any prayer request down below. I'm praying for y'all!
Have a blessed day in The Lord,
Cindy Mae
