For the last few weeks, we’ve been exploring the Parable of the Sower, sitting with the question, “What kind of soil is in my heart right now?”
As I’ve said before, this parable is not primarily describing the reasons unbelievers refuse to hear the Gospel. Rather, in this little story Jesus is inviting us to a life of constantly paying attention to our own hearts. The truth is that sometimes our hearts are hard and other times our hearts are shallow – even after we give our lives to Christ.
This week we’re looking at the third type of unhealthy soil that we can have in our hearts:
Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. (Matthew 13:7)
Unlike the first two cases, this seed falls upon ground that is capable of sustaining deep life. The trouble is that the ground is already spoken for and filled with thorn bushes.
This type of heart is a divided heart, torn between two masters (Matthew 6:24). While it’s initially receptive to God’s word and even grows, its spiritual life is choked out by all-consuming obsessions with achievements, prestige, and possessions.
In today’s terms, the divided heart is enamored with the glittering stuff of this world. Such hearts are in danger of gaining the whole world and yet losing their own soul (Matthew 16:26). They’re prone to subordinating Kingdom good for personal gain and recognition.
People who find themselves in this position are often ensnared by the “Happily Ever After” fantasy that says: “My happiness depends on my success.”
Indeed, this philosophy is often justified by rationalizations that sound very spiritual. Statements like: “I’m making all this money so I can give more generously to Kingdom causes” or “When I get this position of power, I’ll be able to influence the world for the glory of God.”
When they’re willing to be honest, divided hearts admit they have built their identity on the things they’ve achieved and the things they possess. Apart from these things, they don’t really know who they are.
If any of that rings true – or if any of this has made you feel defensive – I invite you to pray this tilling prayer today:
Father, I confess I’ve let my heart get tangled up in the cares of this world, chasing success and recognition. I’ve believed the lie that my worth is found in what I achieve and what I have. I release the fantasy that more achievements, more possessions, or more influence will satisfy my soul. Teach me to build my life on you, not on the things that fade. Give me the courage to seek first your Kingdom and trust you with the rest. Loosen my grip on the world and deepen my roots in you.
Because just like with the first two soils, divided hearts are not locked into this thorny fate. You can take steps to root out these distractions and nurture your heart to become rich, nutritious soil. We’ll look at that reality next week, as we wrap up this series.
