Pam Padgett ... teacher
In the parable of the sower, the sower sows
the word of God in our hearts, but only the word that fell on "good
ground" was established and grew to bring forth fruit.
Matthew 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19
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. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the
same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth
it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while:
for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word,
by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among
the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this
world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he
becometh unfruitful. 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.
The person who receives seed by the way side doesn't understand the
word and has the word taken away by the devil. This person is an unbeliever.
Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12
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.
The person who receives seed on stony ground has no root. A root
holds a plant in place, draws water and nourishment from the soil
for the plant, and stores food for the plant. This person, is not
receiving nourishment from the word of God, not spending time in the
word and seeking to understanding and do the word. As a result,
there is nothing to hold and keep him in the truth of the word. When persecutions or trials
comes, this person is offended and falls away.
Luke 8:13 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.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
The person who receives seed among thorns cares for things of this
world, not keeping the flesh from reigning in their life. This chokes the word
and keeps it from freely and thoroughly working in the person's
heart to bring forth fruit.
Paul said ... I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:26)
Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the
world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that
doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The person who receives seed on good ground understands the word ...
has a clear perception of the meaning and significance of the
word in his life. This person seeks understanding from God,
spending time seriously considering the word, doing the word, and conforming his life
to the word. The
word becomes firmly rooted in his heart as he does this,
nourishing and keeping him in the way shown by the word. The word
grows unrestricted in his heart, and eventually fruit pleasing to
God comes forth.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.