THE ISSUES THAT CHOKE THE WORD OF GOD IN PEOPLE’S LIVES (3)
Matthew 13:18-23 (AMPC)
“18 Listen then to the [meaning of the] parable of the sower:
19 While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the roadside.
20 As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy;
21 Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.
22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit.
23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and grasps and comprehends it; he indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown, in another sixty times as much, and in another thirty.
Dear people of God, in the last 2 posts on this topic, we have looked at two categories of people’s hearts/minds and how they relate to the Word of God.
Today, we will look at a third category of people, which is summarized in the Parable of the sower in Matthew 13:22, “As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit.”
Unfortunately, very many Christians fall into this category. They simply fail to understand that God Almighty and Father of my Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ is the One Who provides for our needs and His Word is forever settled in heaven – Psalm 119:89.
Such people rely not on God but on their own strength. They chase money rather than chasing God Who has said seek FIRST His Kingdom and His righteousness and all the other cares of life, He (God) would provide.
Unfortunately, too, majority of the womenfolk are very guilty of this situation because of their ardent desire to look good and prove to everyone that all is well with them.
There is nothing wrong in dressing well and looking good but God says we should dress modestly. Let us see what God’s Word says concerning this in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (AMPC), “Also [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangement or gold or pearls or expensive clothing,
10 But by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God.”
So for any woman who is offended by my earlier statement, you can see that even God’s Word supports my position and it is foolhardy to try to argue against God’s Word.
Someone might ask, does it mean from this message that a Christian should be poor? No, that is not what God’s Word says because God tells us that He wishes above all things that we prosper and be in health even as OUR SOUL PROSPERS – 3 John 1:2.
The very FIRST thing of utmost importance for any Christian is for your soul to prosper and your soul can only prosper when it is fed spiritual food, which is the Word of God.
See what God says about this Amos 5:4 (AMPC), “For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: Seek Me [inquire for and of Me and require Me as you require food] and you shall live! “
Someone might argue here and say but this Scripture refers to the house of Israel and I am a Christian.
So who is a Christian? A follower of Christ, a believer in Christ, right?
Who is an Israelite? A seed of Abraham, right?
Now, let us see what is written in Galatians 3:29 (AMPC), “And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise.”
So those who belong to Christ are also Abraham’s offspring or Abraham’s seed and heirs of God’s promise to bless and multiply Abraham and his seed forever!!
Since this is God’s promise to us and God swore an oath to Abraham to make this an irrevocable covenant, it then means a Christian is already blessed and has no business with poverty because God has guaranteed it in His Word through an irrevocable covenant – Hebrews 6:13-14.
It means the Christian’s preoccupation should not be to chase money (and most of us erroneously do) BUT to obey God’s Word in totality, and then go and share the Good News or Gospel with other lost souls so they too can come receive God’s blessings that can never cease.
Dear friend, allow the seed of God’s Word in the Holy Bible to enter and become rooted in your heart/spirit through constant and diligent study, meditation, confession and obedience every single day of your life.
Only then can you prosper in every area of your life and receive what is rightfully yours as God’s child in Christ Jesus the Son of God and our Messiah.
May the good Lord bless you as you heed His Word today, act on it and share with others in Jesus’ Most Magnificent Name, Amen.
Gabriel Ama.
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