Discernment continues to be top of mind for me these days. I have looked at the parables of Jesus before, but wanted to look at the Parable of the Sower and its teachings as it relates to discernment.
The Word, Matthew 13:3-9 (NIV)
“Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sew his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew and chocked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop–a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
The Connection of this Parable to Discernment
The ability to determine the right soil in which to grow God’s word represented by the seeds is the parable’s connection to discernment. Moreover, discernment comes from the ability to grasp the truth of God and apply that truth to our lives. It is about heart posture as the heart represents good soil if God’s word is hidden there.
Jesus Explains the Parable to His Disciples
Just hearing the Word is not enough. Understanding is the key that opens up discernment. Those believers represented by the bad soil understand the Word initially, but then don’t have the discernment necessary to recognize the danger of having shallow roots. Those roots allow the enemy to infiltrate and destroy.
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time.
When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling on among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty time what was sown.” (Matthew 13:18-23 NIV)
Final Thought
In my mind, the good soil represents believers who both understand and discern. This becomes the ultimate protection and the ability to distinguish the good from the bad in terms of our Christian walk.
My Prayer
God continue to hide your Word in our hearts. Give us the discernment to distinguish and cultivate the right soil in our lives thus giving us protection from the deception of the enemy. Amen.
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