In the parable of the sower, Jesus gave us hints of those things that will make us lose the Word of God that we read from the bible or is being preached to us.
And from these hints, we can then discover the ways and means to keep the word of God.
This parable of the sower and its interpretation can be seen in Mathew 13:3-8, and 18-23, Mark 4:1-9 and 13-20, and Luke 8:4-8 and 11-15.
Let us however use that of Mathew as the first gospel to treat this topic.
Main scriptural text – Parable of the sower.
Then He spoke so many things to them in parables, saying: “behold, a sower went out to sow. “and as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
“some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. “but when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. “But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty.
Now from this parable of the sower, we can see that the number of the ground the seeds fell on was four (4). So in the explanation of the parable, we are going to treat them one by one.
What is the meaning of the parable of the sower as taught by Jesus?
The parable of the sower simply means that if we should not accept the word of God from the first, second, and third ground where the seeds that were sowed refused to grow and bear fruit, rather we should accept it from the fourth ground where the seed that was sowed grew and born much fruits.
To understand the meaning of the parable of the sower as taught by Jesus we need to study and understand all four grounds that the seeds the sower sowed fell.
The first ground.
Scriptural text.
“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. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
Mathew 13:19.
In this first ground from the parable of the sower, the wicked one refers to Satan who steals the word from human beings:
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded , who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ , who is the image of God, should shine on them.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
So anyone who is willing to keep the word must resolve to practice what has been preached to him or her, as it is written: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)
As the Psalmist puts it: Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11).
So whenever you hear the word of God, always be reminded of what the scripture says above.
After hearing the word of God, one must pray to God to allow the word; which is light, to penetrate into his or her life and overpower the darkness implanted by the devil, and also bring the full understanding into his life.
The entrance of your word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:130
The second ground.
Scriptural text.
“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 roots in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
Mathew 13:20-21.
The first thing one must understand is that no one can follow Jesus, unless that person decides to pass through tribulations or persecutions for His sake; i.e. carrying the cross.
“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Mathew 10:38
Because, once you start following Him, you automatically become adversaries with the fallen angel Lucifer, whose very mission is to destroy the followers of Christ. Revelation 12:12, 17
That’s why the scripture advises us to: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8).
How to be sober and vigilant to overcome the devil.
In order to be sober and vigilant, we must first know that this adversary had first tempted and persecuted our Savior who triumphed over him through the power of His resurrection.
And since He has experienced all these things, He is then in a position to help and rescue us: For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…
2 Peter 2:9
And His blood and word of testimony has been given to us to overcome the adversary: Revelation 12:11
Moreover, we must bear in mind that at times the persecution will persist, but it is only meant to give us an experience of what we hear from the word, which in the end is designed to purify us as gold is purified by fire.
Since at times or probably every time, we will be moved to doubt those things that were written down.
For example; we read about how Moses struck the rock thrice because of anger, and if we have never been angered before to the extent of committing a crime similar to that, we will think the bible was lying about Moses’s anger.
We must then console ourselves with the bible verses about enduring trials and temptations below.
Bible verses about enduring trials and temptations.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials; that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1: 6-7
But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1: 12
So therefore, we must always carry on without any fears and worry, because in all these things; God’s deliverance is sure according to His many promises.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous. But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19
The third ground.
Scriptural text.
‘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.
Mathew 13:22.
To understand the third ground from the parable of the sower, let’s examine the case of Martha, Mary Magdalene’s sister who was a victim of this third ground.
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus feet and heard his word.
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.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42.
Basis guide to keeping the word of God.
For the guide to keeping the word on this third ground, one must, first of all, be eager to know more i.e. go deeper and deeper into the words of Christ, and totally forget about the things of this world, while keeping in mind that; he is mortal and will one day pass away.
Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
James 4:14
Because “all flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away.
1 Peter 1:24
And even the world we see today will also pass way one day:
But the heavens and earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2 Peter 3:7
Lift your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner;
Isaiah 51:6
And; ‘you LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; and they will grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed.
Hebrews 1:10-12
“Heaven and earth will pass away…
Mathew 24:35
Bible verses on how to not love the world.
Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
James 4:4
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it.
1 John 2:15-17
If you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1-2
“do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; “but lay up for yourselves treasures on heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Mathew 6:19-21
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
1 Peter 4:7
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
2 Timothy 6:7
The fourth ground.
Scriptural text.
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.
Mathew 13:23.
Beloved, if you have successfully arrived at this ground and want to bear much fruit; you must go out and start spreading the word i.e. ‘preach’ or ‘witness’; as the Master commanded.
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:15
And there are two ways of evangelizing i.e. on the streets, or from house to house. (Check Acts 20:20) and then follow this simple guide to evangelism.
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