Now what kind of question is that? Oblige me for a moment while I explain.
I’ve always been intrigued by Jesus’ Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13. It’s the parable of the farmer who goes out to sow his seed among the soil. This story is satiated with meaning and I find it quite interesting that each one of us is likened to a different type of soil. The seed is simply God’s Word and is scattered by the farmer among the soil. "As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path…some fell on rocky places…other seed fell among thorns…and still other seed fell on good soil. Matthew 13:4-7. How we receive and apply the seed tells us what kind of soil we are made of. Excuse me for saying so, but every one of us is a “kind of soil”. Either you are the soil on the path, the soil by the rocky places, the soil among the thorns, or the fertile soil. Another analogy is that you are one of four different types of spiritual hearers. You either have a closed mind, a cloudy mind, a cluttered mind, or a committed mind.
Let me quickly summarize what they imply:
Soil #1 is the soil along the path. This represents the person with a “closed mind.” “Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.” Matt 13:4. This person hears the Word of God, yet doesn’t fully commit to understanding it, nor does he care to for that matter. This is the passive listener who may have heard hundreds of sermons, yet listens with a closed mind. He has no intention of changing his ways or applying the message he has heard. Over time his heart has hardened and become calloused because he has heard the message so often without responding. He listens to a point; however, when obedience or commitment is required, he slams the door shut on his mind. He’s done.
Soil #2 is the soil that falls on rocky places. He is the one who hears the Word and instantly receives it with joy, but since he has no root, his joy lasts for only a little while. As soon as trouble comes, he quickly falls away. This soil represents the person with a “cloudy mind.” “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 root.” Matt. 13:5-6. This person enthusiastically trusts Jesus as his Lord and Savior and he prefers to learn about God through thrilling Christian experiences. Yet, he doesn’t take the time to become grounded in the Word of God by studying Scripture. Therefore, he has no deep, doctrinal foundation. When the storms come and turbulent waves toss him to and fro, he falls apart. Since his roots are shallow, he quickly begins to doubt. This “cloudy mind” enjoys the security of knowing he’s missing hell and going to heaven, but he has no intention of growing in his faith through the diligent reading and studying God’s Word.
Soil #3 is the soil that is mixed in with the thorns. This is the person with a “cluttered mind”. “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.” Matt 13:7. He hears and receives the Word and may even diligently study the Bible, but his mind is constantly churning with questions of various sorts. Did I turn off the stove? I wonder what is wrong with Betty. When will I get a raise at work? This mind is spinning aimlessly about. Thorn bushes of worry set in and suffocate the cluttered mind. Worldly cares bombard him until there is no room for God anymore. Though God continually beckons us, how can a mind so cluttered with worries and the cares of this world even hear God speak? Consistency in God’s Word is rare, since there is always something to do, somewhere to go, something to worry about. When he does make the time, it is usually half-hearted and hurried. Therefore, he misses out on the blessings of fellowship with God and he becomes unfruitful.
Soil #4 is the fertile soil and it represents the person with a “committed mind.” “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.” Matt 13:8. This is the person who is ready for God’s Word to penetrate deeply. He is likened to fertile soil which has been cultivated and is ready to germinate and bring forth fruit. Likewise, the “committed mind” brings forth abundant fruit because he has a teachable spirit and thoroughly savors sitting in God’s presence to learn and grow. A child’s mind is an example of such a teachable spirit. Children believe with open and impressionable hearts. Jesus tells us that we are to come to Him as little children. The greatest truths are available to all who come in humility and love.
Now, before you feel like a total failure, let me state that each and every one of us has at some time or another been just like soil #1, #2, and #3. But can you make a commitment to becoming like the fertile soil? Can you give God your best and come to him with an open heart and mind ready to listen and apply what He teaches you? Just as Jesus committed to rescuing us on that dreadful cross so many years ago, why not commit to giving Him all of our hearts, minds, and souls? It truly is spiritually impossible to apply God’s Word day after day, week after week, and not bear fruit. He promises to change us from the inside out and turn us into His productive and maturing children. With His help, we will be ready, willing, and able to carry out the plans and purposes He has specifically for each of us. So, let me ask you again.
What kind of soil are you?
I’ve always been intrigued by Jesus’ Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13. It’s the parable of the farmer who goes out to sow his seed among the soil. This story is satiated with meaning and I find it quite interesting that each one of us is likened to a different type of soil. The seed is simply God’s Word and is scattered by the farmer among the soil. "As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path…some fell on rocky places…other seed fell among thorns…and still other seed fell on good soil. Matthew 13:4-7. How we receive and apply the seed tells us what kind of soil we are made of. Excuse me for saying so, but every one of us is a “kind of soil”. Either you are the soil on the path, the soil by the rocky places, the soil among the thorns, or the fertile soil. Another analogy is that you are one of four different types of spiritual hearers. You either have a closed mind, a cloudy mind, a cluttered mind, or a committed mind.
Let me quickly summarize what they imply:
Soil #1 is the soil along the path. This represents the person with a “closed mind.” “Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.” Matt 13:4. This person hears the Word of God, yet doesn’t fully commit to understanding it, nor does he care to for that matter. This is the passive listener who may have heard hundreds of sermons, yet listens with a closed mind. He has no intention of changing his ways or applying the message he has heard. Over time his heart has hardened and become calloused because he has heard the message so often without responding. He listens to a point; however, when obedience or commitment is required, he slams the door shut on his mind. He’s done.
Soil #2 is the soil that falls on rocky places. He is the one who hears the Word and instantly receives it with joy, but since he has no root, his joy lasts for only a little while. As soon as trouble comes, he quickly falls away. This soil represents the person with a “cloudy mind.” “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 root.” Matt. 13:5-6. This person enthusiastically trusts Jesus as his Lord and Savior and he prefers to learn about God through thrilling Christian experiences. Yet, he doesn’t take the time to become grounded in the Word of God by studying Scripture. Therefore, he has no deep, doctrinal foundation. When the storms come and turbulent waves toss him to and fro, he falls apart. Since his roots are shallow, he quickly begins to doubt. This “cloudy mind” enjoys the security of knowing he’s missing hell and going to heaven, but he has no intention of growing in his faith through the diligent reading and studying God’s Word.
Soil #3 is the soil that is mixed in with the thorns. This is the person with a “cluttered mind”. “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.” Matt 13:7. He hears and receives the Word and may even diligently study the Bible, but his mind is constantly churning with questions of various sorts. Did I turn off the stove? I wonder what is wrong with Betty. When will I get a raise at work? This mind is spinning aimlessly about. Thorn bushes of worry set in and suffocate the cluttered mind. Worldly cares bombard him until there is no room for God anymore. Though God continually beckons us, how can a mind so cluttered with worries and the cares of this world even hear God speak? Consistency in God’s Word is rare, since there is always something to do, somewhere to go, something to worry about. When he does make the time, it is usually half-hearted and hurried. Therefore, he misses out on the blessings of fellowship with God and he becomes unfruitful.
Soil #4 is the fertile soil and it represents the person with a “committed mind.” “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.” Matt 13:8. This is the person who is ready for God’s Word to penetrate deeply. He is likened to fertile soil which has been cultivated and is ready to germinate and bring forth fruit. Likewise, the “committed mind” brings forth abundant fruit because he has a teachable spirit and thoroughly savors sitting in God’s presence to learn and grow. A child’s mind is an example of such a teachable spirit. Children believe with open and impressionable hearts. Jesus tells us that we are to come to Him as little children. The greatest truths are available to all who come in humility and love.
Now, before you feel like a total failure, let me state that each and every one of us has at some time or another been just like soil #1, #2, and #3. But can you make a commitment to becoming like the fertile soil? Can you give God your best and come to him with an open heart and mind ready to listen and apply what He teaches you? Just as Jesus committed to rescuing us on that dreadful cross so many years ago, why not commit to giving Him all of our hearts, minds, and souls? It truly is spiritually impossible to apply God’s Word day after day, week after week, and not bear fruit. He promises to change us from the inside out and turn us into His productive and maturing children. With His help, we will be ready, willing, and able to carry out the plans and purposes He has specifically for each of us. So, let me ask you again.
What kind of soil are you?
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