We all know this parable. It is a parable about heart conditions. The first place the word hits is ground along the path. The path is the road I am on. Could we liken it to a mind set I hold? If it is a path I tread frequently, it is packed down with my personal belief system. This belief system has been influenced by the experiences I’ve had in life and more importantly, how I’ve responded to them. This is why Proverbs 4 tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence for from it flow the issues of life. Luke reminds us that it is out of the heart that all issues manifest. What I look at, what I meditate on, moves from my head to my heart and develops a belief system.
We are all tempted in some way with some circumstance, on a regular basis, to remove ourselves from our stedfast trust in God. The most basic definition of faith is, simply believing. I believe God. I believe what God has said over and above everything I see, feel, think or know. If God has said, our position- when in faith- must be ~ yes and Amen to His word.
God’s word is a seed that must be sown and every seed produces after it’s own kind. God sows life, and that more abundantly. Satan works the same way. He just sows seeds that steal, kill and destroy.
If Satan is a liar (and he is, John 8:44) and the Father of all lies, then what he works to sow are lies by challenging the truth of God’s word. Did God say? If God said? Jesus said, If we were His disciples- John 8:31- we would know the truth and the truth would set us free. Jesus said He was the true vine and every branch that abides in Him is cleaned by His word.
It is vital to our well being to know what the word says in order to bring every thought captive and keep the soil of our heart receptive to good seed being sown.
This path does have the word sown on it. It could receive the word with meekness- James 1:22- allowing it to be engrafted into its soil and bringing salvation to the soul. BUT the hardness of the soil, or heart, is so pre-conditioned that it must be worked upon until it will receive the word.
How can I possibly change my head, change my heart? The only way I know that I have tried and proven is by attending to the word. This book of the law shall not depart from you eyes, but you shall meditate upon it day and night to do all that is written in it, Joshua 1:8.
Proverbs 4: 20 My son be attentive to my words, incline your ear to my saying, Let them not depart from your sight, keep them, within your heart, for they are life to those who find them and healing to all their flesh.
Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments for length of days and year of life and peace they will add to you
Proverbs 16:20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord (ESV)
If we would spend the time needed to feed upon the bread of life, the peace that passes all understanding, we would enter into the rest of God. For the light that comes from His word is the same light that dispels darkness. It is the same light that illuminates our steps and orders our way. It strengths our heart with grace and we are able to face the circumstance for the day ~ standing still and seeing the salvation of God at work.
He does keep us and His grace is sufficient for this day.
Work on the hard places in your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to turn that hardened path into a pathway of life that accesses the blessings and goodness of God.