Victors not Victims ( Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:7)

[There are several aspects of the parable of the seed, and the different type of soils that are important for us to understand, to gain clarity, as to how Jesus' words in this teaching impact our lives on a daily basis.]

Luke 8:7 says, "... the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it."

SPRANG UP

 The words " sprang up with it", in the Greek, do not just mean to sprout, or grow, in fact, this phrase is one compound word, which means to grow together with, to such an extent that the two become one.

Historically, it was used of the healing of fractured bones, where the two fragments connected together to become one cohesive unit.

It is also used of two lovers joining together, sexually, to become one, or of anything that attaches itself to something else, to become united with it.

Though generally, this could have a positive meaning, in relation to the "thorns" of this passage, it is self evident that the "marriage" of these two opposing entities, only results in the Word being suffocated out of our lives. They cannot co-exist harmoniously together.

UNFRUITFUL

Matthew 13:22 refers to the person becoming unfruitful. The scripture does not say that THE WORD is unfruitful, but that THE PERSON, becomes unfruitful. Here is perfectly good soil, but when littered with thorn seeds, it produces a crop that is useless to anyone.

The word "unfruitful"  does not mean that there is nothing that is produced, but rather, that what is produced, is useless to anyone. It is used in secular Greek literature, in relation to those trees that produce fruit that is edible, and therefore beneficial, as opposed to those that just produce leaves that cannot be used for food.

When thorns are allowed to grow, the soil, that could have produced something beneficial for the kingdom of God, becomes useless; "unfruitful"; producing nothing positive for themselves or others.

PERFECTION

Luke 8:14 says that the fruit does not come to "perfection", which conveys a similar idea, with the emphasis more on the fact that nothing is ever brought to maturity.

The word is used both of animals and pregnant women, fully developing their young, in the womb, before they give birth.

This word is only found here in the NT, and speaks of completion. It is formed of two words:

1) The goal; end; perfection.

2) To bring to; bear to.

The idea, then, is 'to bring something to completion' or 'to reach the goal or intention'; 'the purpose fulfilled'.

These unfortunate souls, never ever reach their destination or purpose in life; they don't produce anything of value; they bump along through life allowing the life changing Word of God to be totally choked from them, by the thorns that have been permitted to grow.

ENTER IN

Mark 4:19 says that these "thorns" of life "enter in", and choke the word. This is a fascinating study in itself.

FIRST of all, this is not a passive phrase, as a first casual read may indicate. This phrase is actually used in secular Greek literature, of the devil who "enters and takes possession" of a person's life. The phrase literally means, in this passage, "to penetrate and occupy", or "to enter in and take possession of".

Though seemingly subtle, the infiltration and ultimate occupation, of our minds and lives by the cares of this world; the deceitfulness of riches; and the desires for other things, or pleasures of this life, though perhaps satisfying to our flesh, will kill our spiritual effectiveness, and retard any potential growth.   

SECONDLY, what is visually pregnant with thought, is that the expression is also used, both historically, and scripturally (Ex.28:30,43; 34:34; Num.4:3) of entering into the sanctuary, or the place of worship.

Jesus said that the seed was sown in the heart (Mk.4:15), and by allowing the thorns of life to gain dominance, they become the objects of our worship, instead of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the inner temple or sanctuary of our heart, possessing and controlling our motivations and behavior.

FOCUS

Note: We do not eradicate the thorns of life by focusing on them; trying to rid them from our existence. We overcome what we don't want by focusing on what we do want!

Sadly, past surveys have indicated that only about 15% of evangelical Christians read the scriptures on a regular basis. Be a victor, not a victim! Feed on the word, DAILY. Be part of a church that preaches the word; lives the word; and is strong on engaging every member of the body in not only actively sowing the word, but settling on nothing but victory in every area of life. YOU are God's best! His number one priority! Leave nothing to chance in making sure that He is your number one priority!

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours