Spoiled Soil By Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Yesterday we looked at two types of soil that Satan targets. Today we will look at the third. The third type of soil that Satan targets is the spoiled soil: “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). Here the problem isn’t necessarily the soil, but the competing seeds that Satan has tossed into the mix. How can God’s seeds grow and flourish when the choking plants of busyness, material ambition, and anxieties overwhelm the crop? Jesus encourages us: “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:23). This fertile soil belongs to those who vigilantly protect the seeds of God’s Word from hardened hearts, shallow faith, and thorns of distraction. What type of soil are you? Has your heart been hardened and untilled for so long that the seeds of God’s Word just bounce away? Is your soil rocky and shallow because you have never made the disciplined effort to fully develop your spiritual life? Do you allow busyness to distract you from studying God’s Word? Ask the Lord to search your heart today. Prayer: Father, forgive me for the things in my life which have hindered Your Word from fully developing in me. I pray that You would nurture Your seeds of Truth in my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word (Psalm 119:16).
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 11:22:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015