Parable of the Sower

Luke 8

Vs. 12: Seed that fell on the Path

"...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."

We often probably get frustrated, wondering how it is possible for people to not believe in God after having been witnessed to, or after experiencing what we know clearly to be God's hand at work. Have you ever talked with someone about Jesus until you were blue in the face and they just refused to consider anything that you said? In a similar way, sometimes I know I've gotten frustrated from seeing how people can refuse to believe in God, but they find it so easy to 'believe' in something or someone else. How can people actually be convinced that something like abortion OR atheism {or you name it} is good?! This passage in Luke 8 reminds me that we have to remember that the devil truly has blinded people and made them unable to understand, they see but they don't truly see, they hear but they don't truly hear...

2 Corinthians 11:14 "for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." {making it possible for unbelievers to be absorbed and convinced by his ways - he knows how to 'sell a product' to know who don't know better}

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy."

2 Corinthians 4:4 "...the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Vs. 13: Seed that fell on the Rock

"...ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it,

but they have no root. They believe for awhile, but

in the time of testing they fall away."

Times of testing can be the hardest trials we will ever face - as a believer we can find peace knowing that God will use our trials to help us grow. Times of testing will either 'make you or break you'. If you truly love and trust God, if you believe what He says in His Word, than despite our weakness and our pain we can take heart knowing God is refining us. He will use every opportunity to teach us for OUR benefit. We may be broken down, but he will put us back together in a way that is even more beautiful than before. Sometimes the biggest blessings come through the hardest challenges. 

2 Corinthians 12:10 "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

1 Peter 5:10 "and the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

Unfortunately, for some their trials and 'times of testing' {big or small} will cause them to fall away. We have to wonder, did they TRULY grasp God's Grace? Did they TRULY understand Jesus' love and the meaning of the cross? Or as this passage says (Luke 8:13) did they have a root? A foundation?

*This reminds me of the builder who built his house on the Rock (aka. God as his foundation) rather than the sand, which washed away. Matthew 7:25, "the rain came down, the streams rose, and the blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it has its foundation on the rock." As the Hymn says {On the Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...}

This should lead us to ask: How do we get ourselves spiritually rooted in Christ? How do we know we are secure when trials and temptations come our way? Psalm 1: 1-6

 - we cannot continue sinning

 - delight in God's word and meditate on it 

(learn it, know it, let it change you)

 - show fruit in your life

 - in hard times, trust God, he is our sustainer

vs. 14: Seed that fell on the thorns

"...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."

This verse speaks of 3 things that keep us from growing and maturing in our spiritual walk. Those 3 things are {worries} {riches} and {pleasures}

1. Worrying: shows lack of faith and trust in God. God tells us not to worry and trust that He will provide (Matthew 6:25-34), Rather we should seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness. Worrying may also show too much concern over worldly things, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

(Luke 12: 34)

2. Riches: Constant desire for riches, more wealth, materialistic 'stuff' shows lack of contentment, lack of thankfulness, and a lack of satisfaction with your identity in Christ alone. Hebrews 13:5, "keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have." 1 Timothy 6: 9-10, "those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away..." Ecclesiastes 5:10, "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity."

3. Pleasures: seeking worldly pleasures (whether it be sex, alcohol, beauty, 'fun', spending money, addictions, status, popularity etc.) again shows lack of contentment with your identity in Christ and his ability to fill your heart soul and mind with every good thing. It shows you are seeking to fill yourself because Christ has not satisfied you. Proverbs 21:17, "whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man..." 1 John 2:15, "Do not love the world or the things in the world." Titus 2: 11-12, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It  teaches us to say 'no' to ungodliness and worldly possessions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." 

vs. 15: Seed that fell on Good Soil

"...those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, 

retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

1. "hear the word, retain it"...Pray for true faith that only comes from God, through his Grace. Pray that God would continually open our eyes and ears to see and hear and truly understand his truth. 

2. "persevere"... Persevere through trials and temptations. Trust in God. Give him your burdens, rely on his strength. Let God refine you. "You make beautiful things out of dust..."

3. "produce a crop"... Seek Wisdom, not the ways and pleasures of this world. Be in the Word, meditate on it. Hunger to learn more of God and be conformed to the image of His Son. Produce the crop that God intends for, not the 'crop' the world produces {money, wealth, pleasures}