The Parable of the Sower (Part 1)

Matthew 13:3 (NIV): “Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘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.’”

What Is A Stone vs. Flesh Heart?

This week we are going to focus on the Parable of the Sower. This is one of the most well-known parables in the gospel, where Jesus explains how different people receive the Word based off of the condition of their heart (condition of their heart’s soil).

The first soil is quick to reject the Word (the seed). In Matthew 13:19, Jesus tells us that “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 soil represents a a heart that is hardened, to the point where the Word of God cannot penetrate its walls. Satan steals the enrichment of the Word away from this person before it can take hold in the soil. This represents a heart that is resistant to God, heavily distracted by the enemy, or uninterested in the truth.

We serve a God of restoration, a God that works to create new hearts in His people. We must lean into our relationship with God so that He can turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh (Ezeikel 10:19).

Now Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father thank You for Your Word, which is the eternal truth in a world of spiritual darkness. Search our hearts Lord, and reveal to us anything that is not pleasing to You. Refine us and soften our hearts so that Your word can be planted firm in us, and not robbed by the enemy.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.