PARABLE OF THE SOWER (4)

[The Thorn]

“And He taught them many things by parables and said unto them in His doctrine, 'Hearken, behold, there went out a sower to sow. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth.

But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.” Mark 4:2-7

A thorn is a stalk of a cut plant. It is used here to symbolize an hinderance or obstacle. In this story, this thorn hinders the tender plant which grew from the seed and stopped it from bearing fruit.

What are these thorns?

The Thorn of Bad Company

While reading this parable, I found out by revelation that this third ground is better than the first ground (the way side) and second (the stony ground).

This ground is fertile because the seed actually sprouted and would have continued to grow but for environment.

You may have to pause and ask yourself these questions. What is keeping me company? Who and where do I camp around? And what do I allow around me?

Your company and environment affect the Word of God in you either negatively or positively. Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that bad company corrupts good morals.

The Thorn of Filth and Sin

Remember, the seed is the Word of God, and as a seed produces a plant which grows and yields fruit, so does God's Word. Sin is every and any thought and activity which is not founded on God's word.

They choke the growth of God's Word in your life. Jesus identified three circumstances projected against the growth of the Word in us: the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things. I will emphasize on the last.

The Thorn of 'Other' Things

What does a seed planted need? Water, manure, weeding, security (from tramples), sunlight among others.

God's Word in your heart needs similar care and nourishment in order to grow and bear fruits. This will be supplied by more of God's Word and the Holy Ghost.

What happens when you the receiver and custodian the of the Word is given to 'other' things? Death of the seed!

Yes, the seed will die. The plant will be unfruitful. Remember, we are the plantings of the Lord.

(Isaiah 61:3)

What are the other things you allow your heart to be engrossed in which is choking the manifestation of God's plan in your life?

Is it the cares of this world? Enjoyment? 🤔

Whatever it is that is pulling you away from God is a thorn attacking the fruit of God's Word in you. Put them away. Uproot the thorns if you want to grow and bear fruits.

Nothing else and nobody should be permanent in your heart which is the ground other than God and His Word. Every other person should be secondary and in fact temporary.

Nourish the seed (the word) in you by fellowshipping with the Holy Ghost in prayers and with the brethren.

Make a conscious commitment to secure the Word. That's God's investment in you. Do not choke it with sinful living and immorality.

May God's seed in you grow and bear fruits, in Jesus name. Amen.

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