How Do You Respond to God’s Word

The Parable of the Sower in Luke 8:4-9 is a story Jesus used to teach about the 4 kinds of people and their response to the Bible. His disciples then asked for an explanation of what it meant, and we should know too. Here is Jesus’ reply to their question, and my “2 cents worth” too.

Which group are you in?  We all need to know, and know which group those we love are in too.

Jesus’ explanation from Luke 8:11-15:

“Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. “And those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved. (Group 1)

“And those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. (Group 2)

“And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. (Group 3)

“And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.” (Group 4)

Group 1: Those people heard God’s Word but did not believe. The Word bounces off of them like the seeds bounced on the hard path, and didn’t take root. or, friends, relatives, or co-workers ridicule them for considering the Bible calling it “myths, fables, no longer relevant, a crutch for the weak and elderly, etc.”, so they effectively take away the truth of the Bible like birds take the seeds away. (John 10:10)

Group 2: Those people heard God’s Word, got excited about it, they may have even “prayed a prayer”. But when their faith was tested, they crumbled, they went back to their regular lives. This is a counterfeit faith. Saying a prayer does not save. Repentance, grace, and faith saves. (see also Matthew 7:21-23 and 2 Corinthians 13:5)

Group 3: These people are stagnant Christians. Ones that do not mature. They may be a Christian on Sunday morning, but the other days, their lives are run by pursuit of the worlds riches, pleasures, or are consumed with life’s worries.

Group 4: These people are biblical Christians. They don’t live by their own ideas, but by penetrating, understanding, and applying the Word of God to their lives. By doing this, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, they experience peace, faithfulness, and fruitfulness to which we all aspire. This Christian is obedient to God’s principles, which come from good soil (involvement in a Bible teaching church, small group Bible studies, and personal daily Bible study). Their lives bear fruit as Jesus wants, and are pleasing to God, and glorify Him with their lives. This group will enjoy a blessed life, and rewards in Heaven.

Make sure you are in Group 4.