Now the parable is
this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have
heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that
they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when
they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe
for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the
thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by
the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As
for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast
in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience (Luke 8:4-15).
Because their hearts longed to understand the
meaning of Jesus’ words, the Holy Spirit gave the true disciples ears to hear
His kingdom secrets and Christ gave them a very clear explanation of the
parable of the sower. His parable describes four different kinds of hearts that
hear the Word of God. Only one kind of heart bears healthy, maturing fruit.
Jesus taught that evidence of true discipleship is bearing fruit that glorifies
God… “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so
prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). He shared this parable so that
true disciples in all ages would know how to cultivate the heart that bears good
fruit.
The heart that bears good fruit is not
lukewarm. The heart that is likened to the path is one that is interested in
many things. Like the soil on the path that is flattened by the footsteps of
many travelers, the heart that runs to and fro, gathering much knowledge, but
having no hunger for real truth is too insensitive to receive and nurture the
truth of God’s Word. To seek and find truth, the whole heart must be committed
to the search… “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all
your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). The heart that bears maturing,
God-glorifying fruit is hungry for God’s Word.
The heart that bears good fruit is not hard. The
heart that is likened to the rock belongs to the person that enjoys hearing
good preaching, teaching, and maybe even praise music, but does not let the
word become firmly planted in the heart. To be strengthened to withstand life’s
trials, the heart must allow Biblical truth to find a deep and secure home
within… “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and
receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James
1:21). The heart that bears maturing, God-glorifying fruit is eager to
receive and apply God’s Word.
The heart that bears good fruit is not easily
distracted. The heart that is likened to the ground infested with thorns represents
those who do not place a high priority on the truth of God’s Word. They let
things of the world fill up their heart and squeeze out God’s faith-growing
truth. The little fruit they have is powerless and never grows as they become
like those, “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2
Timothy 3:5). The heart that bears maturing, God-glorifying fruit is not
distracted by temporal things in it its relentless pursuit of the truth of God’s
Word.
The heart that bears good fruit is honest,
good, and patient. The heart that is likened to good soil is found in believers
that understand that Satan and the temporal world are relentless enemies that seek
to steal God’s Word before it can take root and glorify God in the heart of
true disciples… “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
The good-fruit bearing heart is kept honest by God’s Word… “For the word
of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the
division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the
thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). This heart seeks
the goodness of God that’s revealed in His Word… “Whoever gives thought
to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD” (Proverbs
16:20). It is patient and holds fast to God’s Word, “By which you are
being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed
in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:2).Which soil best describes your heart?
As we grow up into Christ our words and
deeds bring more glory to God as we cultivate…
The Heart that Bears Good Fruit.
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