Biblical Reflections · Christian Life

Has the seed fallen among thorns once again?

5 min read, approximately

“And he spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow; and as he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them: and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And others fell upon the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked them:” (Matthew 13:3-7)

We live in a world that rushes everything… When we want what we desire immediately and are unwilling to go through a process, sooner or later anxiety, desperation, and worry consume us until they suffocate us… These are the people who let the seed fall on rocky ground…

Seed on rocky ground

Let us look through God’s Word at the main characteristics of such people.

\1. Lack of faith

“And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?” (Mark 4:40)

It is true

“…that faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Yet hearing it is not enough; we must be

“…doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive yourselves. For anyone who hears the word but does not do it is like a person looking at their natural face in a mirror. They look at themselves, go away, and immediately forget what they were like.” (James 1:22-24, Philippians 4:9)

The question is:

“…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8b)

\2. Failure to read God’s Word

“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; [But] the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

When we undervalue or cut back on reading the Bible, we soon fill ourselves with other things: celebrity gossip, news, novels, stories, and so on.

“My people were destroyed because they lacked knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6a)

If we do not feed on God’s Word, anxiety, doubt, and worry will consume us little by little until they destroy us! That is why

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

\3. Lack of identity

“Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, these bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:25-28)

A child of God does not exchange God’s voice for the voice of the world and its circumstances. Why?

Because “…that person is a new creation; the old things have passed away, and look, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We are his handiwork! (Ephesians 2:10)

\4. Skepticism

“And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching.” (Mark 6:5-6)

We must understand that

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

He worked miracles yesterday, works them today, and will forever. So, putting aside all skepticism, let us declare and trust that our

“…help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalms 121:2)

Unfruitful promises?

How many promises have we allowed to become unfruitful in our hearts by letting them fall among thorns?

“And Elisha said, Hear ye the word of Jehovah: thus saith Jehovah, To-morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.” (2 Kings 7:1-2)

“and that captain answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? and he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof: it came to pass even so unto him; for the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died.” (2 Kings 7:19-20)

Every promise is for our benefit, not to be left among thorns

Every promise in God’s Word is for our benefit. Let us not discard it or let it fall among thorns… Today is a good day to cast out all skepticism, rise to embrace our identity in Christ Jesus, and begin putting God’s Word into practice as we walk in faith!
Remember:

“Unless Jehovah had been my help, My soul had soon dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.” (Psalms 94:17-19)

“But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-8)

Will we let the seed fall among thorns once again?

_**Remember to visit the Songbook

May God continue to bless you, and may you keep enjoying an excellent day in Christ Jesus!