“The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved.”
The seed (word) is going out, the ruler of this world, the devil, will deceive many so they never believe. He keeps them full of this world and the flesh.
Luke 8:13 NLT
“The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.”
This seed gets in and starts to grow but there is no work to learn, there is just basic knowledge. When things are good this seed sprouts a little, then when the going gets tough they stop learning. No effort is put in and it withers.
Luke 8:14 NLT
“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.”
Here we have the seed (word) getting in but not developing because people want their cake and they want to eat it. Riches are more important than living for Jesus. Their physical pleasure is more important than Jesus. Their family and friends are more important that Jesus, so they have no desire to mature and live differently than this world.
Luke 8:15 NLT
“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”
The narrow road of people that hear the word and then believe, accept and surrender their will so God is glorified will keep growing. They don’t focus on themselves, or this world, they focus on Truth. When we are opened to truth we start to seek it, and when we seek it we will find it. When we find it, we are full of peace and joy and we get through all the trials and things that will go on in this temporary home.
Luke 8:16-18 NLT
““No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.””
When our soil is good, we shine, and we make a difference with the ones around us opened to His light. It might take time but when we are willing, He is able. When we listen to the correct things we can continue to mature and we build off of His truth and we make an impact through Him. It only happens in His strength not our, and He gets the glory from it so we never feel it is us that can do it alone.
When we stop listening to Him, we start losing what we had and start making up our own truth, hence the world right now!