In the parable of the four soils we see that the condition of the soil determines the fruitfulness of the seed.  This parable reveals several of the hindrances to fruitfulness in our lives.  The synoptic Gospels present this parable along with Jesus’ explanation to His disciples.  Jesus says,

Listen to this!  Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.  (Mark 4:3-4)

Jesus described three other types of soil and then His followers asked Him the meaning of this parable.   Jesus revealed why he spoke in parables and then He presented the meaning,

The sower sows the word.  These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.  (Mark 4:14-15)

Has this ever happened in your life?  You hear God’s life giving truth and just as you start to ponder on the implications for your life, the enemy snatches the truth away and replaces it with lies.  Nancy Leigh DeMoss in her book Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free identifies some of the lies the enemy uses to snatch away God’s truth.  Here’s a sample of the lies that may have replaced truth in our lives,

God doesn’t really love me.
God is not really enough.
God’s ways are too restrictive.
God should fix my problems.
I’m not worth anything.
Physical beauty matters more than inner beauty.
I should not have to live with unfulfilled longings.
I can sin and get away with it.
My sin isn’t really that bad.
God can’t forgive what I have done.
I’m not fully responsible for my actions and reactions.
I cannot walk in consistent victory over sin.
I don’t have time to do everything I’m supposed to do.
I can make it without consistent time in the Word and prayer.
It is my responsibility to change my spouse.
Children need to get exposed to the “real world”.
All children will go through a rebellious stage.
We are not responsible for our children’s behavior.
If I feel something, it must be true.
(Corollary: If I saw it on the internet it must be true.)
I can’t control my emotions.
If my circumstances were different, I would be different.
I should not have to suffer.
My circumstances will never change—this will go on forever.
It’s all about me.

Have any of these lies replaced the truth of God’s word in your life?   The Apostle Paul reminds us,

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,  (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

May His word penetrate your heart and bring forth much fruit in your life

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5