“But the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the Word and it becomes unfruitful.”
In the fourth chapter of Mark we read the parable of the seed and the sower. The seed is the Word of God. Ideally we should either be sowing seed or receiving seed.
The ground, or the soil represents the heart on which the seed is sown. In Mark 4:19 we are given three things that will choke out the Word of God in our hearts. The first listed are worries of the world which are secular and temporal causing “distracting anxieties.”
I experienced this first hand this past week.I went to the Word with my cares, but anxious thoughts continued to flood my mind. What a raging battle I fought unsuccessfully for days. I cried out to the Lord and the Holy Spirit reminded me I have to hold fast to the Word.
Next is the deceitfulness of riches. Satan comes as an angel of light we are told in 2 Corinthians 11:14 Wealth makes it easy for the evil one to seduce our souls from God. In Matthew 19:23 Jesus warns His disciples, “it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” He doesn’t recognize his need for a savior. His rewards are on earth rather than heaven as a result of his choices.
Lastly, is the desire for other things. In 2 Timothy 3:4 we are told in the last days man will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. However they will hold fast to external godliness, but denying the power of God.
Would you join me in asking ourselves where we find our greatest pleasure — in our walk with God or our walk with this present life? Am I magnifying God’s Word in my heart and mind, or listening to the chants and accusing thoughts from the father of lies and accuser of the brethren? Have I become obsessed with materialism — more stuff is better?
Truly my greatest desire is to walk in a manner worthy of my Lord bearing fruit in every good work. If this is to become a reality in my life I must hold fast to the seed promises of God’s Word until I see the fruit of my labor. May I exhort myself along with my readers with this closing Word:
” Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
In His love.
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless!” Isaiah 40:29 Seed promises I held fast to as I completed the New River Trail 50K yesterday morning in Fries, Virginia.
