As we begin a New Year, it is important that we set aside some time to examine the condition of our heart. The last thing a true disciple of Jesus wants to do is allow their heart to become tainted in any way. 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 says, “5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.”
There are many opportunities, and circumstances we face, throughout the course of year where our hearts can get negative things sown into them. When this happens, we end up possessing hardened hearts, weak hearts or distracted hearts. The condition of our heart is directly related to what kind of walk we will have with our Lord.
One of the keys to making sure we don’t “fail the test” is protecting our heart from all the opposition that arises as we serve the Lord. That is why Proverbs 4:23 says: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus teaches that we have a higher probability of possessing a heart that does not yield a harvest for the Lord, than possessing a heart that does produce a harvest. Three out of four soils mentioned in this parable do not allow the seed to do the work for which it was sown. There is only one type of soil by which the seed can produce a harvest. Let’s take a look!
1. The Path
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
A path is where people travel, and therefore, gets trampled down and becomes hard and crusty. Many people’s hearts have been trampled down by the circumstances of life, or hardened by the consequences of sin. When the seed falls on the path, it cannot take root, so it gets stolen by the passing birds (enemy). Do you feel your faith is constantly being snatched away from you? Are you afraid to surrender your life to Jesus as your Lord? If so, then the path could represent the condition of your heart.
2. The Rocky Places
The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 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. Matthew 13:20
Many people want the benefits of the Christian faith without the commitments and responsibilities. These people want to receive God’s forgiveness, but don’t want to tell others because it might bring persecution to them. Sooner or later someone is going to stand in opposition to your faith. The problem is trouble will come. Perhaps you will lose a friendship with someone close to you, or be tagged with a derogatory label. When people receive the word with joy, but don’t allow it to take root, they will not persevere during tough times. When this happens, the person withers away because they didn’t really allow Jesus to be the Lord of their lives.
3. The Thorns
The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. Matthew 13:22
The worries of this life can include: our responsibilities, our jobs, our relationships, our finances, our health, etc. When stewarded properly, all these things we participate in should bring glory to God. When obligations become more important to us than serving God, His word will get choked out. The deceitfulness of wealth is putting trust in something other than the Lord to be our provider and protector. When money is not stewarded properly, it deceives people into thinking it will bring peace and contentment. Instead, wealth accumulated with wrong motives leads to more greed and problems. The desire for other things is what consumes the affections of our heart. We make time for and invest in things we truly desire. For example, watching television all the time and never praying or reading the Bible could be a desire that has choked out God’s influence in our life. The problem is not with the activity, but that we do it to the exclusion of serving our Lord.
The Good Soil
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13:23
The Lord Jesus Christ expects us to grow in His grace and knowledge. We should not remain immature in our faith. We must accept individual responsibility for our walk with Christ. As we obey God’s Word, we receive more of his grace and learn more about His purpose for our life. When we live as an ambassador for Christ and do the work of His Kingdom, we will produce a harvest that pleases the Lord.
We are not to compare our harvest with that of others. God has given every individual person different and unique gifts. Instead, we should be obedient to His will, and allow Him to bring the harvest no matter what type of increase it produces.
Now that we have begun a new year, take some extra time to do an honest examination of the condition of your heart. Remember to “hold on to the good” of 2010 and release the bad. Nothing is more important than possessing a pure heart for the Lord.
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Psalm 24:3-5
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