The Sower, The Seed and the “SOIL” “The Four Soils”
Un-Believers, Dis-Believers, Make-Believers, True-Believers
I won’t I can’t I might I will
Matthew 13:19-23 When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart.
This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places is he that hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet has no root in himself, but endures for a while and when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he is offended.
He also that receives seed among the thorns is he that hears the word and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he that receives seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
As Jesus went about preaching, He did not always find a receptive audience not even where He did mighty works. Some people tried to trick Him, so they could accuse Him.
This is why Jesus taught in parables. READ THE VERSES
The Sower, The Seed and the “The Four Soils”
"THE SOWER" is Jesus or anyone who preaches the Word.
"THE SEED" is the WORD of God, “The Good News”
"THE WAYSIDE" (The First Soil) Represents one who "hears...and does not understand" These are those who have hardened their hearts prior to hearing the Word of God.
The "birds" represent "the wicked one" "the devil",
who snatches away the Word from those whose hearts are hardened or "blinded" by Satan to the gospel; but it is their own hardness of heart that is the reason for their unbelief!
"THE STONY PLACES" (The Second Soil) This soil represents the one who... "hears the word and immediately receives it with great joy” “yet he has no root in himself,
then endures for a while", and when persecution comes because of the word, he immediately withered (fell) away.
"AMONG THE THORNS" (The Third Soil). This soil represents the one who... "hears the word” but whose ability to bear fruit is choked by: "the cares of this world" and "the deceitfulness of riches" and "the pleasures of life".
These three "thorns" can cause us to be unfruitful and is explained elsewhere in the Word. The cares of this world can cause us to fall from Grace. The deceitfulness of riches cause us to feel self-sufficient and turn away from God. And the pleasures of life make it impossible to reap of the Spirit!
"THE GOOD GROUND" (The Fourth Soil). This soil represents the one who, "hears the word and understands it" and "indeed bears fruit and produces with a noble and good heart". Paul writes "since the day they understood they produced fruit"). When one understands", they will more likely "bear fruit"; but the key to understanding is having a "good and noble heart", willing to listen and learn! What kind of "fruit"? The fruit of winning souls, the fruit of holiness, the fruit of generosity, the fruit of the Spirit,
the fruit of good works, the fruit of praise & thanksgiving. Not all will bear the same amount... "some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty". In the Parable of the Talents,
some were given more according to their use of what God gave them. It is totally up to us to be obedient.
It’s one thing to understand and another to apply it.
"What kind of soil are you?"
ARE YOU LIKE "THE WAYSIDE"? If you have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, but are not yet a Christian, you may be hardening your heart. You are susceptible to Satan's deception, to be blinded and reject the Word of God.
ARE YOU LIKE "THE STONY PLACES"? If you responded to the gospel at one time, but not grounded in the faith, you will likely fall away when temptation comes.
ARE YOU LIKE THE SOIL "AMONG THE THORNS"?
If you responded to the gospel at one time, but are becoming too preoccupied with the cares, riches, and pleasures of this world, you will not be able to bear much fruit! Remember what Jesus said about branches that don't bear fruit!
They are cast out and burned. John 15:6
ARE YOU LIKE "THE GOOD SOIL"? You have responded to the gospel, and you are bearing fruit , you have a good and noble heart and you understand the Word!
Matthew 13:4-8 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And 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 sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Mark 4:4-8 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
Luke 8:4-8 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. Then he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Here, Jude names Cain, Balaam, and Korah as types and shadows of bad soil.
The “Wayside” The Un-Believers…..
They have gone in the way of Cain—They are haters of their brethren, and they that are such are murderers; and by their false doctrine they corrupt and destroy the souls of the people. Cain, the first-born child, is the type of the natural man who is jealous and angry and is willing to kill the spiritual. He is the “pathway” where the Seed could not grow. Think about what he had though; he could talk with God and hear God. It may have been that he saw God yet it did no good because as it says in 1 John 3: 11 ,
“ His actions were evil and he belonged to the Devil.”
This happened because he refused to master sin,
Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
So the “way of Cain” is to kill the spiritual so you do not have to face your actions. For they have gone in the way of Cain, committing disobedience and rebellion as he did; they have shown that they are proud, corrupt, wicked and haughty, haters of God.
The “Stony Places” The Dis-Believers…..
The error of Balaam—For the sake of gain they corrupt the word of God and refine away its meaning, and reduce it down to shameless immorality. Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
Balaam is an example of the “rocky ground.”
He called God, “Lord” and seemed to want to do His will but he had no root, even though people recognized the God working in him. His error was that he used his knowledge of the spiritual to make a financial profit. He counseled Moab to have Israel sin sexually so that they would be removed from the covering of the Lord’s blessing. “And ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward.” No restraint, right back into sin. 2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
“ Among the Thorns “ The Make-Believers
Gainsaying of Core—The rebellion of Korah and his company in Num. 22 opposed the authority of Moses and Aaron. In this verse he accuses them of murder, covetousness, and rebellion against the authority of God. Korah, a Levite in
Numbers 16:32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. St. Jude speaks of a similar punishment. This is the soil with the “weeds.” This area is on the edges of the field where it is possible to produce fruit but sin stops its full potential. Korah’s rebellion was against God’s earthly authority and he thought he could do someone else’s job and God would bless him. These perish, or they will perish. The result is so certain that Jude speaks of it as if it were already done. These people have the same character as Korah. In the gainsaying of Core or of Korah, gainsaying means contradiction, or working against, strife, reproach, or rebellion.
Mark 4:14-20 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but
for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns;
such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world,
and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground;
such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
Luke 8:11-15 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear;
then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out
of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which,
when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit
to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
and he that winneth souls is wise.
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner
from the error of his way shall save a soul from death,
and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness
of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness,
shall be as the stars for ever and ever.
Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness:
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin,
and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness,
and the end everlasting life.
Malachi 3:10-12 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith,
saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,
shall men give into your bosom.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.
Deuteronomy 28:1-13 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations
of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be
in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit
of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and
thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face:
they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee
seven ways. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee
in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto;
and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God
giveth thee. The LORD shall establish thee an holy people
unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the
name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body,
and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground,
in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven
to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations,
and thou shalt not borrow. And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
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