In review of Luke 8:14 it says, “The seed that fell among the thorny weeds is like those who hear God’s teaching, but they let the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life keep them from growing and producing good fruit.”
Bottom Line:
Listening to God’s word, but letting things of this life; worries, riches and pleasures crowd it out, will keep you from producing good fruit.
What this means to me:
Seeds that fell among thorns is similar to me hearing God’s message, but then letting the worries, riches and pleasures of life crowd in and choke it out, keeping it from making a difference in my life, growing me into maturity and allowing me to produce worthwhile fruit.
God truly wants to speak to me, however I must first eliminate the distractions of this life so that I can hear from him.
I won’t be able hear God when my mind is crowded with worries, plans, and activities. I won’t hear God when my mind is filled with TV, the Internet, and my cell phone. Culture today, has a lot of noise going on, and it can keep me from truly hearing from God.
This is the soil with weeds. In Luke 8:7 Jesus says, “Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it” (MSG). In this case the seed does get to sprout and actually starts growing. But after awhile the weeds choke it, so it never bears fruit.
In verse 14 Jesus explains the meaning: “The seed that fell among the thorny weeds is like those who hear God’s teaching, but they let the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life keep them from growing and producing good fruit” (NIV).
One of the biggest distractions that will keep me from hearing from God is busyness. It’s easy to confuse activity with productivity. These are not the same. I can be always on the go but still going in circles. If I’m always busy but not really making any progress, then there won’t be any fruit from my life.
There are three common weeds that tend to choke God out.
The first is worry. The word “worry” really means “pulled in different directions.” I end up forgetting God because I’m filled with anxiety and stretched to the limit.
The second is riches. I can be so busy making money that I forget God. I put in a full day’s work, come home exhausted, and then get up the next morning and do it again. I’m so busy making a living that I’m not making a life with God.
The third is pleasure. What’s wrong with pleasure? Nothing, except when I’m so busy pursuing fun that I forget God.
There are lots of different kinds of weeds. A weed is anything that I allow to take first place in my life instead of God. A weed is anything I allow to choke God out of my schedule.
How much effort does it take to grow weeds? None. Weeds are a sign of neglect. Whenever I neglect time with God and my small group, guess what? Weeds are going to grow. It may not be these three, but there will be some. They’re going to grow up and strangle out my spiritual life.
God is trying to make contact with me. Will he get a busy signal when he tries? I’ve got to be proactive and eliminate the weeds so that God can speak to me and produce fruit in my life.
As I reflect on my current schedule, I’m glad that I do make time each weekday morning to have some quiet time. I really look forward to it, even though it means getting up even earlier in the morning so that I can maintain it.
I am however guilty of allowing a busy schedule and day keeping me from producing good fruit and making a difference in the life of others.
I am going to need to prioritize getting together and spending time with others so that I can get further encouragement from and can encourage them.
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