A Fruitful Life - Part 4
In Part 4 of this series, we began to look into the first of the 4 types of soils that are mentioned in the parable of the sower.
The first soil that is mentioned is called wayside ground. Let’s take a look at Matthew 13:19.
Scripture: Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
A person who hears the Word of God but does not understand it is a person that is called “wayside ground.” The way this verse is translated in the NKJV can be a bit blind to us. It can leave the impression that this is a person who just doesn’t understand what is being said so they are left out of the benefit of the Kingdom. Let’s look at another translation that will shed more light on this verse. Let’s look at the Amplified translation of this verse.
Scripture:
Matt 13:19 While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the roadside. AMP
This translation sheds more light on what the Lord is saying. Notice, this is a person who is not taking time to grasp and comprehend what Jesus is saying. This is not a person who can’t understand but rather a person who chooses not to. Remember Jesus in His teaching said, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear, and he who has eyes to see, let him see.” Wayside ground represents a person who is an uninterested listener.
The definition in the Greek of the word “understand,” reinforces this truth.
Understand (4920 suniemi) – This word means to piously put together and comprehend. This is a person who hears but doesn’t hear, who sees but doesn’t see, they are not taking the time to comprehend and cultivate the seed into their lives.
What can we conclude about the “wayside” ground?
The Complete Biblical Library New Testament Commentary – Page 170
Here is a question for our devotion time. Is my heart hard to the Word of God in any area?
*The central truth in this portion of the parable of the sower is this, when a person is not open to the Word of God it will be taken from them. God will not force His seed to grow in a heart that does not want it.
As a final challenge I am going to share two passages of Scripture for you to consider. Look for the condition of the peoples hearts and what kind of response that heart condition invoked upon hearing the Word of God.
A hard heart – John 10:22-31
A soft heart – Acts 17:10-12
In conclusion I would like to remind you that each of us can choose the condition of our heart toward God and His Word. True faith and obedience always begin with an act of our individual will.
In Christ, Pastor Sean
The first soil that is mentioned is called wayside ground. Let’s take a look at Matthew 13:19.
Scripture: Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
A person who hears the Word of God but does not understand it is a person that is called “wayside ground.” The way this verse is translated in the NKJV can be a bit blind to us. It can leave the impression that this is a person who just doesn’t understand what is being said so they are left out of the benefit of the Kingdom. Let’s look at another translation that will shed more light on this verse. Let’s look at the Amplified translation of this verse.
Scripture:
Matt 13:19 While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the roadside. AMP
This translation sheds more light on what the Lord is saying. Notice, this is a person who is not taking time to grasp and comprehend what Jesus is saying. This is not a person who can’t understand but rather a person who chooses not to. Remember Jesus in His teaching said, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear, and he who has eyes to see, let him see.” Wayside ground represents a person who is an uninterested listener.
The definition in the Greek of the word “understand,” reinforces this truth.
Understand (4920 suniemi) – This word means to piously put together and comprehend. This is a person who hears but doesn’t hear, who sees but doesn’t see, they are not taking the time to comprehend and cultivate the seed into their lives.
What can we conclude about the “wayside” ground?
- We can conclude that this is a person with a hard heart.
The Complete Biblical Library New Testament Commentary – Page 170
- This verse addresses those who hear the Word but who ignore its summons (hard hearts). It is not that they cannot understand, but that they will not make the effort to understand (hard heart) because they do not want to understand. Satan can work in those who do not want to hear the message; immediately he steals the Word from their hearts.
Here is a question for our devotion time. Is my heart hard to the Word of God in any area?
*The central truth in this portion of the parable of the sower is this, when a person is not open to the Word of God it will be taken from them. God will not force His seed to grow in a heart that does not want it.
As a final challenge I am going to share two passages of Scripture for you to consider. Look for the condition of the peoples hearts and what kind of response that heart condition invoked upon hearing the Word of God.
A hard heart – John 10:22-31
A soft heart – Acts 17:10-12
In conclusion I would like to remind you that each of us can choose the condition of our heart toward God and His Word. True faith and obedience always begin with an act of our individual will.
In Christ, Pastor Sean
Recent
Archive
2025
April
August
Categories
no categories
No Comments