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THE CONDITION OF THE HEART

By Jerelyn Pearson

 

Do you enjoy a good story? As you read a book or watch a movie, do you try to predict the outcome? Are you often drawn into the story to the point that you identify with the characters and imagine that you are actually experiencing the events? Have you ever read a novel or watched a movie more than once and discovered things you missed the first time through? Have you been inspired by a skillful author to see a deeper message underlying the plot?

Jesus often taught through parables. A parable is a story that illustrates a greater truth. The parable of the sower is a familiar story to many of us. Sometimes we skim through familiar passages because we think we already know them. By moving along too quickly we may miss a deeper meaning or new application of the truth that the Lord wants to show us.

Read this familiar parable of the sower whose seeds fall into different environments. As you read it, think about which environment you most closely identify with.

Matthew 13:3-9:
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

In this parable the sower's seeds fell into different environments: by the wayside, upon stony places, among thorns, and into good ground. Each event brought a different result for its seeds: to be devoured by fowls, to be scorched and wither away, to be choked by thorns, or to bear fruit.

With which environment did you identify? Hopefully the answer is the good ground where the seeds bear fruit. But I can certainly recall times in my life when I was in each of these places. And more to the point there continue to be times when I find myself by the wayside, or upon stony places, or among thorns.

Of course we know that this is not just a story about what happens to seeds depending on where they are planted. Through Jesus' interpretation of the parable to his disciples, we learn what each element in the story represents. For example we will see that the type of soil represents the condition of the heart. Christians who have received the assurance of salvation are given a fertile heart to bear fruit. Having been given this marvelous gift, do we as Christians always produce the abundance of fruit that is possible? With which kind of heart do we receive God's messages? Are there times when we allow our hearts to wander by the wayside, on the stony places, or among the thorns instead of staying grounded in God's will of fertile soil? It is with this question in mind that I'd like us to read the parable again, this time with Jesus' explanation of the greater truth as he explained it to his disciples.

Parable:

Matthew 13:3-4:
Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Interpretation:

Matthew 13:18-19:
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.

We see here that the sower is Jesus Christ. He sows the seed, which is the word of God. The fowl represent the wicked one who steals the seeds. The ground by the wayside is so hard that the seeds remain on the surface and the birds can easily take them away. The wayside represents the heart that is hardened and can't understand the message.

This makes me wonder, are there times when I hear God's word without understanding? Well, maybe there are passages that I don't fully understand yet, but I don't think this is what is meant here. However, are there times when I miss receiving understanding that the Lord wants to show me because I allow my mind to wander during a sermon? Or do I sometimes neglect to pray or read the Bible when I should, leaving those seeds to be devoured or stolen away that were intended for me that day in that particular situation?

Parable:

Matthew 13:5-6:
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Interpretation:

Matthew 13:20-21:
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.

The stony places represent hearts that are happy to hear the word but are not rooted in the Lord to keep his word when challenges arise.

When do I allow challenging circumstances to distract me from trusting God and rob me of the joy that comes from his guidance? Or how often do I become offended at perceived rejection and allow the seed which I joyfully received to be scorched and wither away rather than take root? Roots take hold when they are nourished and watered. It is important to be consistent in prayer and Bible study.

Parable:

Matthew 13:7:
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

Interpretation:

Matthew 13:22:
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.

The thorns represent worldly cares and possessions which can distract us from our purpose and keep us from being fruitful.

How much time do I waste worrying? How much emphasis do I place on worldly possessions? I need to be vigilant to keep God's will in the center of my attention so I can be in the center of his will.

Parable:

Matthew 13:8-9:
But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Interpretation:

Matthew 13:23:
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 good ground represents the heart that is yielded to the Lord and bears fruit.

In order to hear the word, I need to be where the word is spoken. In order to understand the word I need to study the word. In order to bear fruit I need to obey the word.

It is interesting that even the fruit bearers produce in varying amounts, "some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." What do I do, or neglect to do, that limits my fruitful productivity?

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. God gives us a heart to receive, understand, and apply his truth in our lives and allow him to work in us to will and do of his good pleasure so that we bear fruit. When we are obedient to his will, we bear that eternal fruit. But if we're not careful, we can prevent ourselves from fully accomplishing his purpose in our lives.

God has given us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to receive, understand, and apply. Let's not be among those who limit their fruitfulness. Instead let us identify with the Lord and magnify him.

 

 


From the June 2009 issue of The Vine & Branches