“So listen to the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches what was sown in his heart; this is the seed sown along the path. The seed sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. But he has no root in himself and does not endure; when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth choke the word, so it produces nothing. But as for the seed sown on good soil, this is the person who hears the word and understands. He bears fruit, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:18-23
Understanding God’s Word Is Critical
In one situation God’s word was not understood. If there is no understanding then apparently Satan is able to remove that truth from a person’s heart so that it can not take root in the future. Let’s look at how each of these soils responded to God’s truth and what happened.
The Seed on the Path
“I don’t understand how this relates to me.”
- They hear the Word.
- They do not understand how it relates to their life.
- Satan takes away the truth so it will never take root.
- There is no change in their lifestyle.
The Seed on Rocky Places
“It’s too hard to keep doing it.”
- They hear the Word.
- They understand it’s relevance to their life (implied).
- Satan uses trouble or persecution to make it difficult to continue applying the truth.
- The change in lifestyle is short-lived because they became discouraged by difficulties.
The Seed Among the Thorns
“I’m too busy to keep doing it.”
- They hear the Word.
- They understand it’s relevance to their life (implied).
- Satan uses the deceitfulness of wealth, life’s worries and pleasures to crowd out time and desire (Lk 8:14).
- The change in lifestyle is short-lived because they became distracted by competing influences.
The Seed on the Good Soil
“It’s too important not to keep doing it.”
- They hear the Word.
- They understand it.
- Satan is unable to use a lack of understanding, the difficulties, or distractions of life to prevent on-going life application.
- Their life is permanently changed and produces the fruit which God desires.