IT'S A HEART CONDITION, NOT THE DEVIL

08/27/2024

“The sower sows the Word” (Mark 4:14).

Life is all about sowing and reaping, and until you understand this concept, you may find yourself struggling and frustrated, wondering why you can't make progress. A few years ago, I searched online for lawn seed, and one of the questions I kept encountering was about my location. At first, I thought, "Grass seed is grass seed; it should grow anywhere." But I soon realized that some grass seeds won't thrive in Ohio. Imagine if I planted a grass seed suited for Texas in Ohio—it would struggle to survive. The same applies to life: You can have the right seed—the Word of God—but if your heart’s condition isn't right, you'll struggle and live in frustration, wondering why you aren't seeing the right results, even when you're sowing the right seed.

The seed is never the problem; it’s always the condition of the soil. In Mark 4, Jesus shares the difference between the right soil and the wrong soil:

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no roots. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times."

According to Jesus, there are four different soil types:

1. Wayside - As soon as they hear the Word, Satan comes and takes it away.

2. Rocky - They hear the Word and receive it with joy, 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.

3. Thorny - They hear the Word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things choke the Word, making it unfruitful.

4. Good Soil - They hear the Word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.

The word "accept" in Mark 4:20 comes from the Greek word paradechomai, which means to receive or admit. It's like when a patient is admitted to a hospital—a care plan is developed with a goal in mind: to get the patient well so they can return to their usual life. The good ground represents the person who anticipates the Word, and when it comes, they receive it with one goal in mind: to produce results. However, they must also guard against outside influences—such as lust, pride, doubt, worries, anger, and unforgiveness—that can make the Word ineffective.

Think of it this way: When a woman is pregnant, there are certain things she must avoid to ensure the health of the baby. Similarly, when you sow God’s Word concerning your health or finances, you need to avoid things that can compromise or destroy the seed. You can’t declare that you are strong and healthy while harboring a critical and judgmental spirit or offense. Even if you’re saying the right things, if your heart isn't perfected in love toward others, you’ll experience frustration and struggle—and that is unacceptable.

Child of God, the blood of Jesus was shed so you can live a beautiful life. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Why? Because harboring negative emotions will grind your destiny to a halt, while embracing kindness and forgiveness will bring joy to your life and lead to good success.

God bless you.

Faith-Filled Confession:

I choose to speak the Word of God only and walk in love. I see God’s Word and grace manifested in my health, home, job, family, and business. I declare that I am strong, healthy, beautiful, and wise. I am favored beyond measure. I continually partake of the good of the land. Wealth and riches are in my home. Goodness, mercy, and favor follow me all my days. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PRAYER DIRECTION

1. Pray in tongues for your family. Proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus over them, with peace, health, protection, righteousness, prosperity, and grace.

2. Pray in the Spirit and prophesy as the Spirit inspires for the deliverance of children and teens from satanic ideologies, worldly lusts, and the corrupting influences of this world, especially through social media, video games, and entertainment (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 132-135; 1 Corinthians 8