“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” – 1 Peter 1:23. The Word of God is powerful, and it’s important that we don’t allow challenges that we go through in life to cause us to turn away from what God’s Word says. Today’s blog entry deals with hearing and obeying the Word of God (sowing the seed on good ground).
“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” – Luke 8:5-8
In the preceding passage of scripture (known as the parable of the sower), Jesus was speaking to a crowd of people. He used the illustration of a seed being sown. If you think about a seed being planted in the natural sense, there are some important factors that have an effect on the growth of the seed which include: the place where the seed is planted and the way the seed is cared for as it goes through its growth cycle. For instance if someone decides they want to start a garden, and they go out and start placing seeds in their driveway, as opposed to planting them in soil, they likely will not be pleased with the results they get. It’s important for the seeds to be planted in soil, so that they have a place to take root. It’s a good start for the person to have the seeds, however it’s important that they care for the seeds the proper way.
Now I would like to continue where the passage left off in the book of Luke:
“And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” – Luke 8:9-15
This passage talks about four different types of people:
1. They hear the word but the devil comes and takes the Word. How does this happen??? Well lets do a cross reference and go to Matthew 13:19 for the answer “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.” It is important for a person to have an understanding of the word.
2. They hear the word, believe for a little while, but have no root and fall away during the time of temptation. It’s important for a person to endure temptation, and trust in God even if they experience hardships in life.
3. They hear the word, but start to focus on the cares, riches and pleasures of this life. A person should always keep God first.
4. They hear the Word, they keep the Word, and they bear fruit.
As we live our lives, it’s important that we hear, understand, and obey the Word of God. If you’re facing a challenge in your life, don’t let it overwhelm you. Spend time in prayer, and ask God to give you guidance on how to proceed. If you would like to read another account of the parable of the sower, you can check out Matthew 13:1-23.
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” – Matthew 13:23
“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” – Luke 8:5-8
In the preceding passage of scripture (known as the parable of the sower), Jesus was speaking to a crowd of people. He used the illustration of a seed being sown. If you think about a seed being planted in the natural sense, there are some important factors that have an effect on the growth of the seed which include: the place where the seed is planted and the way the seed is cared for as it goes through its growth cycle. For instance if someone decides they want to start a garden, and they go out and start placing seeds in their driveway, as opposed to planting them in soil, they likely will not be pleased with the results they get. It’s important for the seeds to be planted in soil, so that they have a place to take root. It’s a good start for the person to have the seeds, however it’s important that they care for the seeds the proper way.
Now I would like to continue where the passage left off in the book of Luke:
“And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” – Luke 8:9-15
This passage talks about four different types of people:
1. They hear the word but the devil comes and takes the Word. How does this happen??? Well lets do a cross reference and go to Matthew 13:19 for the answer “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.” It is important for a person to have an understanding of the word.
2. They hear the word, believe for a little while, but have no root and fall away during the time of temptation. It’s important for a person to endure temptation, and trust in God even if they experience hardships in life.
3. They hear the word, but start to focus on the cares, riches and pleasures of this life. A person should always keep God first.
4. They hear the Word, they keep the Word, and they bear fruit.
As we live our lives, it’s important that we hear, understand, and obey the Word of God. If you’re facing a challenge in your life, don’t let it overwhelm you. Spend time in prayer, and ask God to give you guidance on how to proceed. If you would like to read another account of the parable of the sower, you can check out Matthew 13:1-23.
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” – Matthew 13:23