Do You Really Understand the Word?
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 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. Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop -- a hundred , sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear."
. . . "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries (troubles) of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown." Matthew 13:3-23
. . . "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries (troubles) of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown." Matthew 13:3-23
We could well surmise that our entire relationship with God depends a lot on what we do with His Word. We are saved by Grace as we receive the Word of God by faith through Jesus Christ the Son of God. Our faith actually comes by hearing the Word of God. Jesus is the Word made flesh so having faith in the word is in essence, having faith in Jesus.
The Bible tells us many important things about the Word of God: It is settled forever in the heavens; God has magnified His word above His name (Psalm 138:2 NKJV); God's word never returns empty to Him but always goes forth to accomplish the purpose for which He sent it. If we abide in Him and His word abides in us, He will give us whatever we ask of Him. If we are careful to obey His word, all the blessings that He promises in Deuteronomy 28 will come upon us and overtake our lives. The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). God's word serves as a warning and in keeping it there is great reward, and we could still go on and on!
Many things can be gleaned from the above parable but my heart is gripped by these words of Jesus: "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown." So, it all comes full circle: Our entire relationship with God depends on what we do with His word! Until we understand the relevance, the power, the importance as well as the need to be radically obedient to His word, we will never bear the kind of fruit that God expects of us! Understanding the word is nothing short of crucial! It is the genesis of it all.
So, would you pause and take a fresh look at this issue of understanding the word? The truth is: until we understand the word not just intellectually but also with our heart, soul and spirit, we will never be moved to obey it to the point of bearing much fruit. May the Spirit of God open the eyes of our understanding to the living word of the Living God.
The Bible tells us many important things about the Word of God: It is settled forever in the heavens; God has magnified His word above His name (Psalm 138:2 NKJV); God's word never returns empty to Him but always goes forth to accomplish the purpose for which He sent it. If we abide in Him and His word abides in us, He will give us whatever we ask of Him. If we are careful to obey His word, all the blessings that He promises in Deuteronomy 28 will come upon us and overtake our lives. The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). God's word serves as a warning and in keeping it there is great reward, and we could still go on and on!
Many things can be gleaned from the above parable but my heart is gripped by these words of Jesus: "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown." So, it all comes full circle: Our entire relationship with God depends on what we do with His word! Until we understand the relevance, the power, the importance as well as the need to be radically obedient to His word, we will never bear the kind of fruit that God expects of us! Understanding the word is nothing short of crucial! It is the genesis of it all.
So, would you pause and take a fresh look at this issue of understanding the word? The truth is: until we understand the word not just intellectually but also with our heart, soul and spirit, we will never be moved to obey it to the point of bearing much fruit. May the Spirit of God open the eyes of our understanding to the living word of the Living God.
Prayer: Father, please grant me the grace to understand and obey your word so that I can be fruitful for your glory. Amen.