What is the Condition of Your Heart (Soil)?

Thursday, April 04, 2013 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Luke 8:11(NLT)  “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

You are responsible for the condition of the "soil" of your heart and attitude. Good seed is wasted on bad soil with weeds. Good seed (the Word) thrives in good soil.

Three bad conditions to avoid:
1. "Wayside" is the walking path around the garden. Nothing is planted and seed is wasted. The devil "takes away" unplanted seed.

2. "Shallow" is a lack of depth. It's like saying "Amen!" to the Word, but doing nothing else. What was sown on Sunday is gone by Tuesday.

3. "Distractions" choke progress that has been made. Like aggressive weeds in a garden that harm the plants. Jesus said that "cares, riches, and pleasures of life" can "crowd out" or choke good things.

One good condition to cultivate:
"Receptivity" to God's Word: Be eager to hear and cling to what God is saying, after saying "Amen!"