The parable of the sower shows us four different ways in which we respond to the word of God. The word of God goes forth and produces four different results because it falls on four different types of hearts (soils). The third type is the thorny heart…
3. THORNY HEART ‘SOIL’
Mark 4:18-19 NKJV
“[18] Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, [19] and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
The thorny heart ‘soil’ goes further than the stony heart, as it allows the seed to take root. However, it represents the hearts of those who do actually believe the word, and yet come short of any enduring benefit from it because they are consumed by the cares and riches of the world.
Just as the stones spoiled the root, the thorns choke and spoil the fruit. Worldly cares and pleasures always suppress the impact of the word; they eat up that strength which should be spent in pursuing eternal things. They take and occupy our time and divert and distract us from our duty towards God and His word. They quench our passion and love for the things of God. They weaken any good and firm resolution regarding obeying the word.
Sometime we become like Martha, who was careful and cumbered about many things, but neglected the one thing needful…
Luke 10:38-42 NKJV
“[38] Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. [40] But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” [41] And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. [42] But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Sometimes, the word is choked and made unfruitful by the deceitfulness of riches. It is not riches that choke the word but the delusion of riches, for riches promise more than they can deliver. They promise security, happiness, and satisfaction in life, but fail to deliver. God certainly wants to bless us with riches, but He doesn’t want us to put our faith and confidence in them, and make their pursuit our priority in life.
When we make the pursuit of riches our life goal and put our confidence in them; when all our focus in life is fixed on acquiring riches and we raise our expectations from them; the good seed of God’s word becomes ineffective and unproductive, and our growth maturity in the Lord is stunted.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 NLT
“[6] Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. [7] After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. [8] So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. [9] But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
Our trust, confidence and pursuit in life must be focused on God, His word and His Kingdom.
Matthew 6:33 NKJV
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
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