Young People's Group

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

by Pastor Mitch
August 27, 2006

Dangers Involved In The Way God’s Word Is Heard

The way we listen to God’s word can make a tremendous difference in our life. Very often, we take the act of hearing for granted. We tend to be frivolous in our attitude towards hearing the Lord’s word. We do not pay attention to it as we should. Jesus told the parable of the sower to warn people of the dangers associated with hearing the word.

1. The Danger Of A Heart That Is Uninterested

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.”
Matthew 13:19

When we hear the word of God with hearts that are not interested in understanding it, we could end up with the rejection of God’s word. Furthermore, Satan will come grab it away from our hearts. He knows the powerful nature of God’s word. He does not want to take any chances with it taking root in our heart and life.

2. The Danger Of A Superficial Heart

“But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”
Matthew 13:20-21

Sometimes, there are rocks and stones beneath a thin layer of soil. The seed that is sown is unable to take root and it will wither when the sun shines on it. In the same way, we can be happy when we first listen and receive the word. But it does not translate into faith in God. When the testings of life come, we stumble because our hearts are superficial. The word of God has not taken root in us.

3. The Danger Of A Deceived Heart

“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
Matthew 13:22

We could also end up being deceived by the sin of covetousness. We could end up coveting after the things of the world. We could become so caught up with the cares of the world that the word of God sown in our hearts does not bear fruit in our life.

A Good Heart That Would Hear The Word Of God Well

“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Matthew 13:23

When we truly take the effort to pay attention to God’s word and seek to understand it, it will bear fruit in our life one day. When we exercise faith and obey it, it will produce definite fruit in our lives. The heart of the matter of hearing God’s word is the kind of heart we have. Let’s seek to listen well and treasure God’s word always.

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