One point the Lord was set on illustrating to His disciples, was the connection between spiritual vision, our heart condition, and the fruitfulness of our lives. He did this by discussing the parable of the soils. He said that people would receive the good news of God’s salvation, way of peace, and ministry of the Holy Spirit with various degrees of understanding, resulting in various levels of fruitfulness.
When you think of all He shared, you will see He was giving them amazing insight into how to relate with people, pray for them, and guide them in the ways of the kingdom. Let’s look at the parable of the soils in this light.
“Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The disciples asked, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He replied, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”
He referenced the prophecy of Isaiah, which said: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’
Then He encouraged them: “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is, he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:1-23).
As we focus upon each of the four types of ground, we can glean insight into the nature of the related types of heart conditions, and in addition, type of spiritual vision associated with each respective one.
Barren Ground
This is the type of ground described by Paul in Romans 1:18-32. It is the type of heart that has been deceived by sin and corrupted by the world, becoming unproductive and futile. This type has alienated itself from God, utterly ignoring God’s truths, exchanging it for lies.
Ungrateful and caught up in earthly wisdom, the corrupted heart has yielded to fleshly passions and therefore, been given up to a debased mind. The vision of such an individual has truly been darkened. Sight comes from a dimmed perspective.
There simply is a lack of light, which is desperately needed to provide clarity and understanding to the things of the Spirit. This type is blinded to God’s truth, needing prayer and God’s intervention.
A living testimony of the truth and the love of God is necessary to revive the barren heart. Such an individual requires caring and sensitivity in relating to them, a concerted effort in praying for them, and simplicity in communicating God’s word to guide them.
What will set the corrupted heart on a path of healing is a renewed perspective of the truth. This type of individual needs to become acquainted with living witnesses of God’s grace, be planted in fertile fellowship, and discipled in a nurturing environment (Matthew 28:19).
Hard Ground
One of the three types of soil bearing little or no fruit was the stony ground. This is the type of a hardened heart. It is shallow ground, having no depth of earth for roots to penetrate.
It is ground that has become parched and scorched, being deprived of moisture—love. These hear the word and receive it with joy and gladness, enduring for a time; but at the slightest coming of tribulation and difficulty, stumble.
This type has near-sighted vision. They cannot see beyond the immediacy of time and circumstance. They have little hope in the future. They therefore, perish for lack of knowledge of the truth of God’s love and mercy.
Typically, these types of individuals have difficulty receiving love from others. Their past has left wounds of the heart. Their outward covering has therefore, become like a protective armor, preventing perceived threats and dangers from penetrating, further damaging their brittle hearts.
Such people need God’s new form of love. They need the oil of the Holy Spirit rubbed upon them to create a softened ground that can receive God’s fresh, nourishing living water.
They therefore, require patience in relating to them, relentlessness in praying for them, and unconditional love and kindness in guiding them. What will heal the hardened heart is continued love over time; waterfalls unceasing to sprinkle the Spirit and grace of God, creating a new, healed heart. (Ezekiel 36:25-27)
Crowded Ground
Another type of soil bearing little fruit is the one receiving the word among thorns. This type is the distracted heart. It is one preoccupied with the cares of the world, deceived in the real value of material things and standards of the world, and confused with earthly desires. This type has obstructed vision.
Various impediments have blocked out the light, hindering clarity of focus. Upon going about their daily activities, they become weary with much activity, and get cynical in response to the insensitivity of others.
They, therefore, are constantly blinded by illusions of various sorts: issues that look bigger and more complicated than they really are; and circumstances and situations that appear more difficult to overcome than they are for an all-powerful God. Their internal spiritual life-supporting systems have in essence, become choked.
As a result, they seek temporal relief, and indulge in solutions appealing to their fleshly frame. The more the needs become lustful desires and addictions, the more difficult they are to satisfy; and the more exotic the various forms of entertainment and pleasures become.
Being temporal in nature, if these forms of relief are the primary types relied upon, spiritual growth is limited and denied, and spiritual maturity delayed. These types of individuals, therefore, require a process of discipline and focus in relating to them, insight in praying for them, and fortitude in guiding them. What will heal the distracted heart are special times of rest and refreshing in God’s presence. (Acts 3:19)
Fertile Ground
The fourth type of ground is fertile ground. Such individuals can easily receive words bearing life. They are like the type described by Jeremiah; trusting in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord. These shall be, “like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green. And will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from bearing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
These are also like those spoken of the church in Philadelphia, who have the “key of David.” To them is an open door to the treasures of the kingdom of God. Oh, let us endeavor to be this type of ground! For such bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
In order to be this type of ground, we need to be like Joshua and Caleb; “of a different spirit” (Numbers 14:24). We need vision that will see God and His power bigger than the giants of the problems that may be set before us. We need to embrace the love of God, receive the Lord’s yoke upon us, and be courageous, that our way will be prosperous; then we will have good success (Joshua 1:8).
We need faith that “sees God” and can follow His marching orders to see the walls—strongholds of fear, doubt, denial, and insecurity—crumble at the sound of a praising army of believers, marching in faith. For, God has clearly shown us, through numerous pictures from the treasury of His family album, what is good, and what He requires of us: “to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
A Testimony of God’s Ground Tilling
There was one woman in our church home group who touched my heart several years ago. She is a special living testimony of God’s faithfulness in tilling the ground of the heart to create an awesome change in a life. This particular woman had come to our home group in her mid twenties. She had a rough childhood; and responded by expressing herself outwardly in some particularly masculine ways. Over the course of about three years, she would call me several times a week with questions. We would talk for great lengths.
After not seeing her for about eight years, I saw her at the wedding of a mutual friend. I could hardly believe my eyes! She was a transformed woman! She wore a beautiful dress, had her hair beautifully fluffed, and had on flattering makeup. She then began to mention that one day, after about five years, one specific word I mentioned began to resonate within her. She then decided to change her life. She set a goal of going to college, becoming an attorney, and aspired to some day be a judge. I can’t tell you how much it warmed my heart, some years later, seeing her graduate from college, a very changed woman! God continued to water the seed of the word with His love, tilling the soil of her heart over time, until the seed sprouted and grew into a beautiful tree of righteousness!
Faith Building Perseverance
It is so important that we endeavor to be sensitive to others, bearing with their struggles, embracing and strengthening them with the love of God. As we persevere in faith and in the Lord’s love, growing our faith, and helping others do likewise, it is imperative that we keep our eyes and hearts focused on the Lord. For, difficulties and trials of every sort will come to rob and destroy our faith. Let us, therefore, press into the richness of God, pursuing the upward call, that He be glorified!