What we hear from God depends on the condition of our heart.
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Two people sitting in the same pew and listening to the same message can respond in totally different ways. The determining factor is the state of a person’s heart, as the parable in today’s passage clearly shows.
A Closed Heart. There are people who harden their heart against the truth. Some may even attend church. But no truth is able to penetrate because their mind is closed to any message they don’t want to follow.
A Shallow Heart. Some people are passionate about what Christ can do for them but fall away when difficulties come. Because of their misplaced expectations, they fail to experience His provision in hardship.
A Cluttered Heart. Those who are distracted with the world’s cares and values have no room in their heart for committed devotion to Christ. Therefore, the Word they hear produces no fruit.
An Open Heart. This is the kind of attitude we should all desire and cultivate—one that positions us to hear, understand, and apply the truths of Scripture to our life.
Which category are you in? If your heart is anything but open, ask the Lord for a new, fruitful one that is eager to know and obey His Word.
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