If you have been in the church any length of time, I’m sure you have heard the parable of the sower. Jesus speaks of this farmer who goes out to plant his seed, and the seeds fall in one of four places:
- The Path, where it was trampled on and birds snatched it up.
- On rocks, but when the plant came up it withered because it had no roots.
- Among thorns, which grew up with the plants and choked them.
- Good soil, where it came up and produced a crop a hundred times more than was sown.
Then Jesus explains to the disciples the meaning of the parable:
This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. –Luke 8:11-15
I myself have heard, and read this parable many times over the course of my life, but when I read it the other day, something really stood out to me: The condition of the soil (where the seed fell) represents the condition of our hearts.
The path would be the heart that is so in tune with the world that it wouldn’t even stop to allow the word of God to do anything in their hearts.
- The rocks would be hearts that have no roots…they just hear the word and like the perks/benefits of what it says, but when things start to get difficult, they turn away from Him.
- Then there is the soil with thorns…I must sadly add that most “Christians” fall into this category…this is the heart that desires to live for Jesus…but they allow the enemy to plant thorns in their heart as well. These thorns never allow God to fully have His way with the heart/person. This heart will let things like life’s many worries, pleasures and riches compete with God for their time. It is the heart that desires God…but cannot let go of the world.
- Then lastly, the good soil. This is the heart that is noble and good (as it says in the scripture). This heart takes the time to get to know God, and allow Him to remove everything that is impure out of their hearts. This heart perseveres through the trials, and retains the Lords word. It is the heart that considers all else a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing their Savior, Jesus Christ.
If your heart is in the condition of the path, the rocks, or the soil with thorns, I want to encourage you by strongly expressing that there is hope. You see, the condition of your heart is not a onetime thing. It is a process. We can still
allow God, the farmer, to work with the soil of our hearts, no matter what condition it is in. We can allow him to remove those rocks and those thorns from our heart…we just need to be ready and willing for Him to do it. And a huge part of this is coming to terms with the fact that our heart is not in the condition it should be…because God won’t be able to change the heart of one who thinks they are fine just the way they are. The enemy will continually try to plant thorns in the heart of anyone, even those with good soil, but to maintain a heart that seeks after God we must keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, and allow Him to remove any impure thing.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
-Psalm 139:23-24
This is the attitude we need to have, one that is willing to allow God to examine the condition of our heart daily.
Allow God to begin a purification process in your heart. And I promise, this process will not end until we are a pure reflection of Jesus…which will never happen….so each one of us needs to be in the process of being purified. So let me close on this note; Jesus desires to produce a crop in you that will produce hundreds times more than what was sown…so let Him.
Born in 1989, Colton (the author of LivngForJesus) is child of God, husband, soon-to-be father (baby on the way), the Outreach & Youth Director at Gateway Christian Church and a graphic/web designer. He has had a passion for ministry since his mid-teens....
The word that came to me this morning as I await was a prepared heart, then I looked and there was your post. I think God for you and many other brothers or sisters like you, stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might you are the light, not going to be. Jesus said you are the light of the world always remember that , keep on pressing and blessing
I truly thank God for this post. It was exactly what I needed to read. The word of the Lord tells us that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness SHALL be filled, and I declare that I’ve been filled!
God bless
what an amazing post that I have actually come through. This gives the information which i truly was searching for the previous 7 days and I’m truly satisfied along with this post. Need more like this. a person.
Thank you so much for your feedback Will. It is such a blessing. It is great to know God still uses this article to touch people.
God bless you!
I may have gotten here by way of a search engine but God uses many ordinary things to put us in touch with Himself. Thanks for making this available friend. I just want to echo something you said about this purification being a process. All too often I’ve allowed myself to put expectation on God, but truly we like Apostle Paul said, are co-laborers with God. We have a responsibility to be active in the process of disciplining our apetites, and guarding our heart as well. We must prepare our heart, through the daily choices we make, large and small to allow Abba to reign in every part of our lives. And that is very much a continual process. Blessings.
You are so welcome Amanda. This topic is really close to my heart, and I am so glad it was used to help you. God bless
I really needed to see this message this morning.. Thank you so much for this. God bless.
It is my pleasure Brian…And Trust me, I know from personal experience that God WILL change it. The fisrt step is just coming to realize that we cannot. I encourge you to read Romans 7:14-8:39. It is one of my favorite passages in the Bible, and really shows how we fall short, but Jesus, through the AMAZING love of God, has paid for that shortcoming. God bless you Brian
Thank you for your encouragement that the condition of our heart is not a “onetime” thing, but that God can change it. I hope so!
That is all very true. Thank you for sharing with us Scott
I needed to see this article. It seems so important to give our hearts to Him who understands– acknowledging our own personal short-sidedness by virtue of the fact that we are merely human. That is why we need God and his principles– if we can produce the fruit of goodness in our lives it makes the world a little bit better place.
Even at my age of 51, this message is a blessing to my heart. Goes to show all that you are never to old to learn.
Thank you for reminding me that my life with Jesus is “process”. It’s daily, no it’s moment by moment remembering Jesus and his purpose in my life.
Hey, thank you for your insight on this subject, it is really helpful to me! 🙂