In this article I explore the seed that fell among thorns in the parable of the sower and what it teaches us about repentance and heart purity.
Lets begin by reading Luke 8
Vs 5 a sower went out to sow his seed…
Vs 7 and some fell among thorns and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.
Vs 11 Now the parable is this the seed is the word of God.
Vs 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.
Lets now read verse 15 which is in total contrast to verse 14
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
Finally lets read Jeremiah 4:3 which ties in perfectly with the parable of the sower
Break up your fallow ground and sow not among thorns
“Good ground” is that which has been broken up thus prepared to receive seed.
In Luke 8:15 “good ground” represents an “honest and good heart”. This is a heart that has been spiritually broken up through Godly sorrow and repentance thus prepared to receive the Word of God and ultimately salvation.
2 Cor. 7:10
Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation…
Godly Sorrow and Repentance prepare the heart for salvation.
Thorny ground on the other hand, has not been prepared and is not suitable ground in which to receive seed, hence Jeremiah’s warning “sow not among thorns”.
It makes sense to me therefore that repentance, that is, braking up the fallow ground of one’s heart, includes the removal of “thorns”.
What are thorns?
Thorns are ugly, prickly weeds that were prevalent in ancient Palestine.
Thorns tend to crowd out and overgrow other plants, stealing their nutrients, water and sunlight which of course stifles their growth.
In Luke 8:14 “thorns” represent “the cares, riches and pleasures of this life” which when allowed to remain in one’s heart, “choke” the Word thus inhibit any spiritual growth or fruitfulness.
What are the Cares, riches and pleasures of this life?
CARES
Cares is merimna in the Greek and means anxiety through the idea of distraction.
I think distraction is the key here.
It says in Matthew 6:31&33
Take NO thought saying what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or wherewithal shall we be clothed?…But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…
Seek FIRST the kingdom as opposed to seeking FIRST the temporal things of this life.
Notice how those in Luke 8:14 when they have heard, go forth, this means that upon hearing the Word they go straight back to ordering their lives.
If the cares of this life are of higher priority to you than the kingdom of God then you WON’T make it as a Christian.
Matthew 7:14
…straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and FEW there be that find it.
Few find it because few truly seek it out.
Luke 13:24
STRIVE to enter in the straight gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in and shall not be able.
Strive agonizomai ag-o-nid-zom-ahee means to struggle, fight, endeavour with strenuous zeal.
This takes a single mindedness.
Matthew 6:22 mentions having a single eye. The eye represents the mind and single means clear or sound, therefore being single-minded means having a clear, sound mind.
This is the opposite to being double-minded which is trying to serve two masters, an impossible task.
Matthew 6:24 …For either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other…
Therefore one cannot enter the straight gate and narrow way while distracted by the cares of this life.
RICHES
Riches ploutos ploo-tos means wealth or abundance of external possessions.
Matthew 13:22 when describing the parable of the sower says the deceitfulness of riches.
Riches can be deceitful in that they offer a false sense of security.
Like with the Laodecians in Revelations 3:17 who said
“i am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing…”
They had an “I need nothing” attitude in their hearts which is the “pride of life” mentioned in
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye and the pride of life is not of the father but is of the world.
Pride alazoneia al-ad-zon-i-a means trusting in ones own power or resources or trusting in the stability of earthly things
This was the case with the rich young ruler in Luke 18
Vs 18 and a certain ruler asked him, saying, good master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Vs 20 thou knowest the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honour thy father and thy mother.
Vs 21 and he said all these have I kept from my youth up.
Vs 22 …yet lackest thou one thing…sell all that thou hast….come, follow me.
Vs 23 and when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
Jesus was not concerned so much by the fact he was wealthy, rather the fact he was not willing to give up his wealth to follow him.
Some of you may be like the rich young man. You’ve spent many years in the church system and are able to say “all these things have I kept from my youth up”.
However, what’s in your heart? A love for money and possessions? The pride of life?
Luke 18: 24&25
How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God.
for it is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye…
One can only squeeze through the straight gate and narrow way if one lets go of ALL that is in the world, including the pride of life.
PLEASURES
Pleasures is hedone hay-don-ay and means desires for pleasure or lust.
The word Lust epithymia ep-ee-thoo-mee-ah means desire, craving, longing. Desire for that which is forbidden.
Mark 4:19 when describing the parable of the sower says the lusts of other things entering in…
While CARES distract people from God and RICHES deceive them into thinking they don’t really need him, PLEASURES is the desire for things other than God, or things outside his kingdom.
Again, like the rich young ruler you might say “I don’t commit adultery” but Jesus said whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matt. 5:28)
We’re not talking about actions or behaviours here, rather the thoughts and intents of one’s heart.
James 4:8 says
Cleanse your hands ye sinners, purify your hearts ye double minded.
A purified heart is no longer double-minded meaning it’s not trying to love God whilst loving the world or the things of the world.
1 John 2:15&15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father but is of the world.
The thorns of pride, lust and a love for the world need to be completely uprooted and removed from ones heart, however, they can’t be removed until the fallow ground has been thoroughly broken up.
Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart oh God thou wilt not despise.
Jesus used the Word “broken” when speaking with his disciples during the last supper.
This is my body broken for you (1 Cor. 11:4)
Christ was “broken” for us but not in our place or instead of us, rather he was “broken” as an example for us to follow.
Matthew 16:24
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me…
Jesus carried his cross to the place where he was crucified, therefore “following” him means being crucified WITH him.
Paul said in Galatians 2:20
I am crucified WITH Christ…
Furthermore he said in Galatians 5:24
And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Jesus said in John 14:6
I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh to the father except by me.
Therefore in being crucified WITH Christ we enter the strait gate and narrow way that leadeth unto life (Matt. 7:14)
For whosoever will loose his life…shall find it (Matt. 16:24)
Repentance is total, broken submission to God.
This is how the thorns of pride, lust and a love for the world are completely uprooted and removed from ones heart, resulting in an honest and good heart.
Only in an honest and good heart can the Word of God take root and bear fruit.
Let us each work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. God bless.
Let us each work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. God bless.
