Being Clear to Hear God

In summary of Luke 8:14 it says, “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”

Bottom Line:

The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear; but the worries and riches and pleasures of this life crowd in and choke them, and their fruit never ripens.

What this means to me:

This verse is a caution to me about what can happen if I get caught up into worries, riches, and pleasures of this life. When my mind is crowded with other thoughts or concerns I can’t hear from God and I will not grow or produce the kind of fruit that God wants from me. I really don’t want to have a situation where God calls, but all he gets from me a is a busy signal or “all circuits are busy.”  In order to be clear, I need to eliminate life's distractions. Jesus says in Luke 8:7, “Some other seeds fell where thorn bushes grew up and choked the plants” (CEV). The kind of soil with weeds in it, was actually planted with crops and begins to grow. However as it grows, the weeds grow up around it, and begin to choke out the life of the vegetable or the plant, so it never bears fruit. Jesus explains that “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (Luke 8:14 NIV). This verse refers to three things that choke out hearing God:

. Worry - this is much like weeds. If I’m so busy with the problems and pressures of daily living, it makes it harder to hear God.

. Money/Riches - I can be so busy trying to pay bills, so busy trying to get out of debt, so busy trying to make more, and so busy making a living that I don’t make a life.

. Pleasure - God says when you’re busy pursuing fun, you miss him and his plans for your life.

We all know that weeds do not require any special cultivation, they grow automatically and are usually a sign of neglect. When I start seeing weeds in my yard, it means I’m not properly attending to it. Similarly weeds in my spiritual life are also a sign that I’m neglecting time with God. So when all the circuits in my life are busy (getting caught up into worries, riches, and pleasures of this life), I need to just need to get quiet and refocus on listening to God