Mark 4:14-15
(NKJV)
14 The sower sows the word.
15 And…the word…was sown in their hearts.
14 The sower sows the word.
15 And…the word…was sown in their hearts.
The
parable of the sower illustrates that after investigating the truth found in
God’s Word or “The Master’s Book of Success Principles”, people fall into one
of four groups. These groups also teach us important principles that we
should apply toward our life’s success goals. Each group represented in the
parable responded differently depending upon the condition of their heart.
Verse
14 states, “The sower sows the word.” The seed sown is the truth
contained in God’s Word. Verse 15 states where the Word of God is sown –
in your heart! Your heart is the part of you that facilitates the
results in your life, and what you permit into your heart programs your success
mechanism.
The
greater your understanding of this parable the easier it will be for you to
program your success mechanism. Three important points will add to your
understanding and effectiveness:
1.
This parable makes the analogy of the heart being like the ground. If the
ground is prepared properly, the seed sown produces an abundant harvest. When
your heart is free of rocks, weeds, and thorns, it will facilitate positive
results in your life. Taking action with a prepared heart will cause
the power of God to move on your behalf. When that happens, you receive
major assistance as you move toward the realization of your God-given dream.
2.
The ground does not distinguish between various seeds. The
ground produces whatever gets planted! If a farmer plants nightshade, a
deadly poison, the ground will produce nightshade. If a farmer plants
corn, the ground will produce corn. Your heart does not distinguish
between the various seeds (concepts, principles, and ideas) that you plant in
it. Your heart will return to you an abundance of whatever you plant,
but your heart does not distinguish between the various seeds (concepts,
principles, and ideas) that you plant. It is your responsibility to
plant a good crop. If you plant a good crop, your heart will produce
positive results in your life. Apply the principles in God’s Word and
your heart will produce success for you. Your abundant harvest waits for
you to plant in your heart the success principles found in God’s Word.
3.
There are four possible groups of people and every individual falls into one of
these four groups.
Jesus refers to four distinct groups of people in this parable, and only one of
the groups produces lasting results.
Group
1: Those by the wayside where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:15)
Group 2: Those on stony ground where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:16)
Group 3: Those among thorns where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:18)
Group 4: Those on good ground where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:20)
Group 2: Those on stony ground where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:16)
Group 3: Those among thorns where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:18)
Group 4: Those on good ground where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:20)
God's Word is our "Farmer's Almanac" of success! It reveals all we need to know in order to be everything God intends for us to be. All we have to do is follow His instructions.
“The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.” Masanobu Fukuoka
Blessed,
Dr. Tim
