How is your soil?

By Todd Barrier  

One of the most interesting parables Jesus teaches is The Parable of the Sower. In this parable, Jesus teaches us the ways God’s Word can either fall on deaf ears or be firmly planted in someone’s heart. 

Over the next few weeks, we will look at the different kinds of “soil” Jesus teaches about.  

Matthew 13:3-4 describes the first kind of soil: “Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.’” 

Later in the parable He teaches what each soil means. In verse 19 He says, “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.” 

So, if we look at the wayside soil in our life today, it could be all of the things that distract us from God.  

We could hear the word of God, but before we understand it or “take it to heart,” we move on to something else. It’s like we allowed Satan, or the birds, to come devour it before it was able to take root. 

We’ve got to make sure we seek to understand God’s Word before moving on to much less important things – before Satan snatches up our ability to firmly plant His Word in our heart.  

How is your soil?  

Next week we will look at what I like to call “rocky road” soil.