Heart, 2of5

~ Examples of Hearts Withdrawing from God ~

Prolog  ~  On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.  And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.  Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow’” (Matthew 13:1-3). …

Deceived Hearts  ~  … “And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them” (Matthew 13:4). … 

(Jesus explained this passage this way:  “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.” ~ Matthew 13:18-19)  

Demonstrative Hearts  ~  … “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” (Matthew 13:5-6). …

(Jesus explained this passage this way:  “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.” ~ Matthew 13:20-21).

Distracted Hearts  ~  … “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them” (Matthew 13:7). …

(Jesus explained this passage this way:  “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.” ~ Matthew 13:22)

Discerning Hearts  ~  … “But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:8).  …                                           

(Jesus explained this passage this way:  “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 13:23) 

Epilog  ~  …  “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:9).  This is Jesus’ concluding statement.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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