I’m growing in the Lord. And thus I’m becoming “good” soil. You see I used to be the soil that you’d find by the wayside and I used to be rocky soil and I used to be thorny soil. But I’m becoming “good” soil. And I say becoming because I’m striving. We are all striving. Because we have not yet arrived nor have we yet become all that God has called us to be. Becoming “good” soil – A Story About Growing in the Lord.
Good Soil – Growing in the Lord
In the Parable of the Sower, we find four different types of soil. Found in the Gospels, in Matthew 13:1, Mark 4:1-20 and Luke 8:4-15.
And this parable is a story that speaks of a farmer who sows seed without thought as to where the seeds would fall. As it reads some fell on the path by the wayside, some on rocky ground, some on thorny ground and some on good ground.
Jesus explains to the disciples that the seed in the story represents the Gospel and the ground or soil represents the response of those who hear the Gospel.
Each time I read this passage, my mind immediately says, I want to be good soil. And don’t we all?
Way Side Soil
The Bible says about the way side soil: “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:” Matthew 13:4 NIV
And “…those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.” Mark 4:15 NIV
Rocky Soil
For the rocky soil it says, “Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died.” Mark 4:5-6 NLT
“…those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they have no deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s Word.” Mark 4:16-17
Thorny Soil
For the thorny soil, “Other seed fell among the thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain.” Mark 4:7
“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” Matthew 13:22 NIV
Good Soil
And for the good soil it says, “Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Mark 4:8
“…the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:23 NIV
Now if we are at all honest, we can even now, identity ourselves with one of these types of soil. In how we respond to the Gospel.
In how we respond to Jesus and His Kingdom.
And how we respond to the callings that he has placed on our life.
I believe that we all want to become good soil. But sometimes, we are hindered from doing so. Busyness, distractions, our own plans or agenda, pride, or the like, get in the way.
And we soon find ourselves in one aspect or another being wayside soil. Once we hear the word, Satan comes and snatches it away because we did not guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Or we find ourselves being rocky soil and when the trials of life come, and they will, we shift back into our old ways and old habits.
Or we find ourselves as thorny soil, where our hearts are so hardened that the mention of the Gospel cannot even penetrate it.
We are all susceptible to becoming either soil type.
So, Lord I’m asking you to help us to become good soil.
Lord, help us to be those that hear your Word and understand your Word.
Help us to be those that meditate in your Word both day and night, so that we can be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that yield its fruit in due season as mentioned in Psalm 1.
And help us to be those that hunger and thirst for your Word, that we will be filled.
Help us in our becoming good soil.
Good Soil – Growing in the Lord
Takes Time.
Becoming good soil takes time. Research says that it takes 2,000 years for natural processes to make 10 centimeters of fertile soil from bedrock. This tells me that becoming good soil takes time. May we study to show ourselves approved. Meditate on God’s Word. Pray and seek his face. And give ourselves the grace to grow in the ways of God. Becoming a child of God is instantaneous the moment that we confess Jesus as our Lord but becoming good soil takes time.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
“But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.” Psalm 1:2 AMP
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV
We Must Guard Ourselves.
To become good soil we much guard ourselves. Research says that soil should be covered at all times. In order for the microorganisms living in the ground to have needed food and protection to survive. And that fenced rows are the healthiest soil on farms. This tells us that we should cover ourselves by the blood of Jesus and His Word. To guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And to put on our armor and be on guard.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 KJV
Means Doing Life With Others.
To become good soil we must do life with others Believers. Research says that maintaining diverse forestry helps with the keeping the soil healthy. This tells us that we need each other in the body of Christ to stay good soil.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 KJV
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17
So may we continue to strive to become good soil. And no matter which soil that you identify with on today, the great news is that you can start today on becoming good soil. I hope that you enjoyed this article “Good” Soil – A Story About Growing in the Lord. For more encouragement, subscribe to my monthly newsletter here.
