I wanted to take some time to dig deeper into the Parable of the Sower. I know my insight into this particular parable has deepened over the years. For many years, I thought people were only ever one type of soil and that all but one soil were bad. As I’ve grown in God, I have taken the time to more thoroughly examine this parable and the Lord has spoken to me in it.
Matthew records it as, “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:3-8 ESV)
Matthew then goes on to record Jesus’ explanation of this parable: “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23)
Let’s look at the 4 types of soil:
The Path – above the ground, never actually planted in the ground, birds devoured the seeds
Rocky Ground – got into the soil, but not much, immediately sprang up, sun scorched the plant that grew
Among Thorns – got into the soil, grew, thorns chocked out the plants that did grow
Good Soil – got into the soil, grew healthy, produced grain
Now let’s look at how Jesus explains the parable:
Seeds sown – hearing the Word of the Kingdom
Soil – the human heart
Above ground (path) – hears the word and does not understand it
Birds – the evil one
Rocky ground – not enough good soil to take root and though it’s not explained in this verse, other Bible verses connect a rocky heart to areas of bitterness (see Hebrews 12:15)
Sun – tribulation or persecution on account of the Word
Thorns – cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches
Good soil – BOTH hears and understands
I want to highlight a few points in this parable. Only 1 of the 4 soils never actually took the Word in and the Bible says it was for lack of understanding. The other 3 soils (human hearts) actually received the Word to some degree. In fact, it says the rocky ground heart received the Word immediately with joy. The third type of soil (among thorns) also received the Word and began to grow. However, this soil (heart) cared more about worldly things and riches. Only the 4th ground (good soil heart) received the Word, understood the Word, and was able to produce fruit.
When looking at this so closely, I’m convinced the soil of a human heart can change with time. I personally believe those who are already “good soil” are the ones who need to help the other 3 soil hearts become good soil hearts.
First step is always to follow the leading of the Holy Ghost, discerning what soil the heart condition is and their level of readiness. In the natural world when soil is not suitable for planting wise planters work the ground. A few ways to do that is – till the ground: remove large rocks and such; fertilize the soil: find rich soil to incorporate into the dry soil; water the soil; make sure it gets plenty of sunlight; weed growth regularly.
We can use these natural world steps and apply them into the spiritual. Both tilling and fertilizing the soil requires hands on work. As a “good soil” believer we can work the soil of a rocky ground heart by helping them identify rocks (bitterness) in their soil, guiding them in biblical principles of how to remove those stones of bitterness. Also, if we are the “good soil” we can work as fertilizer to mix in with the other soils; this is a major time investment. Watering the soil and making sure it gets plenty of sunlight are a bit more hands off, although still involved. We water the soil of their heart by the intercessory tear-filled prayers we pray for them. We can help them get plenty of ‘Son’light by helping to position them in the Light; this can happen through Bible studies for example. As far as those that grow up next to thorns, the only help for that is weeding out the thorns. This must be done lovingly or else we run the risk of uprooting the good plants along with the thorns. Thorns represent a greater love for the world and its riches over loving God and Truth. So, we help those hearts by helping them weed out those cares, helping them to develop a strong love for God. A great way to do this is by loving them with the genuine pure love of God.
Closing thoughts. This parable reminds me of the need to not prejudge anyone. We never know for sure what someone else is facing or what their personal struggle might be (until we invest the time to know them). We need the discernment and leading of the Holy Ghost to know how best to minister to others. And remember, just because someone has rocky soil today, doesn’t mean those rocks can’t be tilled out. Also, remember those with rocky soil hearts are the ones who immediately received the word with JOY (emphasis mine). They want to know and love Jesus! They need help to remove the rocks from their soil!
This parable can also be found in Mark 4:3-8, 13-20 and Luke 8:5-8, 11-15.
For your consideration Megean Eggert. 1.30.21.