In the parable of the sower, four types of soil are mentioned. 531-1 - 8 - 1

The seed is the Word of God.

Luke 8:5, “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.”

The wayside hearers heard the Word but in a shallow and superficial way. Thus, the Word likely will be a surface phenomenon only and not penetrate their heart. This can be head knowledge that cannot withstand the devil and his birds of the air will snatch it away. King Saul is an example of a failure of faith.

A native American that I know goes to church and enjoys the fellowship and potlucks. While a professing Christian her Facebook posts are about Native American spirituality perhaps dangerously close to Romans 1:25, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

Luke 8:6, “And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.” Hardness of heart brought ruin to the Pharaoh of Exodus.   

I have a good friend who I have gently witnessed to for three years. She has ears to hear but doesn’t hear or hearing doesn’t believe. She like others “rock-hearers” often remained unrepentant in the belief they have nothing to repent. The rock-hearers provide no encouragement/ moisture to the seed; it just withered and faded away.

Luke 8:7, “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.” The rich ruler of Luke 18:18-30 couldn’t give up his riches to follow Jesus.

The thorny ground hearers are perhaps analogist to fair weather friends. Their faith can be weak and fall prey to the flesh. Their cares, seeking of money, and the pleasures of life overwhelm them and the Word was suffocated.

I tend to be doing it my way and then remember Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Luke 8:8, “And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Paul certainly was good ground and fruitful ground.

The good ground Is who I strive to be, a true and faithful believer. Here faith is a thing of the heart and ready to receive the Word and be conformed to it.

A parable is a simple story used to get across a moral or spiritual lesson. Matthew 13:14, “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:” Isaiah 6:9, “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.”