Read Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower and consider how it relates to the renewing your mind process.
“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.
The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”(Matthew 13:18-23, NLT)
There are several ways people respond to the God’s truth.
Those individuals who represent the seed on the path often say, “I don’t understand how this relates to me.” They hear the Word, but are not receptive to it. They do not understand how it relates to their life. Satan takes away the truth so it will never take root. There is no change in their lifestyle.
People who represent the seed on rocky places respond to the Word by saying, “It’s too hard to keep doing it.” They hear the Word just as those who were on the path, and they also understand its relevance to their life (receptivity and comprehension). However, Satan uses trouble or persecution to make it difficult to continue applying the truth. The change in lifestyle is short-lived because they become discouraged by difficulties.
Then there are those who represent the seed among the thorns. Their response to the Word is “I’m too busy to keep doing it.” They too hear the Word, and like those on the rocky places they understand it’s relevance to their life. But for those in this group Satan uses another set of tactics to derail their progress, he employs the deceitfulness of wealth, life’s worries and, earthly pleasures to crowd out time and desire (they lack on-going conviction). The change in lifestyle is short-lived for these individuals because they became distracted by competing influences.
Finally, there are men, women, and children who represent the seed on the good soil. These people know “It’s too important to not keep doing it.” They hear the Word. They understand it. But unlike those individuals in the other groups, Satan is unable to use difficulties or distractions to prevent on-going life application. For these people, their lives are permanently changed and produce the fruit which God desires (transformation).
What kind of seed do you want to be? As a disciple of Jesus Christ, are you willing to let Him change you by renewing your mind with God’s truth?
