This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”. For the past few days we have been looking at the parable of the sower. We are walking our way through it. Let’s get back to it today. Jesus said:
“The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people. Sometimes the teaching falls on the path. That is like some people who hear the teaching of God. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.
Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.
Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.
And others are like the seed planted on the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.” (Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
Today we will discuss the soil along the path. Jesus paints the picture of the Word going out to people, they hear it, but somehow satan comes immediately and takes the Word from them. Matthew’s version of the story gives us better insight into why this happens. Let’s take a look at how Matthew records what Jesus said. Matthew’s version reads, “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.” (Matthew 13:19). Matthew’s version exposes the key issue with this type of soil: a lack of understanding. If you receive a Word from God and you do not understand it, then at that moment, you are like the soil along the path. That Word will not get down in your heart and satan will come to snatch the Word away.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The path to gaining wisdom begins with seeking understanding. Solomon, the wisest man in the Bible, said it this way: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7).
- Although God graced Solomon with supernatural wisdom, the king explained that getting understanding may cost you all you have (Proverbs 4:7). Sometimes it takes focus, thought and prayerful consideration, and careful study to gain understanding, but the investment is well worth it.
- If you hear a Word from God, but you don’t understand it, you are not in position to make the most of the Word you received.
- You will never maximize what you do not understand. When you have a true understanding of something, you are in position to apply it, leverage it, and benefit from it. But if you do not understand a truth, that truth is not useful to you.
- Don’t approach the Word of God as an obligation. Don’t read God’s Word because you are simply holding yourself to a reading plan. Don’t go to church out of tradition. Don’t sit under teaching without a heart to receive or ears to hear. When you have an opportunity to receive the Word of God — whether in written form or audibly — always position yourself to hear what God is saying. Pray for wisdom. Seek understanding. This is the only way you will develop a “working knowledge” of scripture that is useful/beneficial in a way that brings about significant change in your life.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. I seek divine wisdom and my pursuit of wisdom begins with gaining clear understanding of Your Word. Whenever I am in position to receive Your Word — whether in church, though someone else, or in my reading time — I always approach the moment with my heart open to receive and my ears anointed to hear. I gain clear insight and spiritual understanding. You give me a working knowledge of the scriptures and I am able to apply Your truth to my daily living. The Bible is not a textbook I study, it is a LIFE-BOOK I live! I live Your Word daily because I gain divine understanding. Living this way I am able to live out this season with a greater level of focus than I ever have before. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
