Luke 8(NLT)
4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him:
5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.
6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.
7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants.
8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant.
10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God.
But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:
‘When they look, they won’t really see.
When they hear, they won’t understand.’
When they hear, they won’t understand.’
Hearing comes from a willing heart. A willing heart makes a hearing ear. It starts with respect. God does not give His wisdom to those who don't respect Him.
Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Luke 8:11-15 (NLT)
11 “This is the meaning of the parable:
The seed is God’s word.
The word of God is like a seed. When you hear it, did it get into you? If it got into you, did it stay in you? Did you meditate upon it?
12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved.
They heard the word of God, but they didn't get saved.
13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy.
But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.
They got further than the footpath ground, but still got no results.
14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.
3 of the 4 grounds got no harvest or results. The thorny ground was choked with worry about this life's problems.
15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
What did good ground have that the other 3 grounds did not have? It had honesty and patience.
Honor and honest have the same root word. Truth and trust have the same root word.
For us to trust, we must have truth. For us to be honorable, we must be honest. You can't make good out of deception.
John 14:6 (NLT)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Truth identifies God. Lies identify the devil. If it's a lie, the devil is in it.
Hebrews 6:18 (NLT)
... it is impossible for God to lie.
John 8:44 (NLT)
... He (Satan) has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
I love the truth more than I love anyone or anybody. Jesus is truth. His word is truth.
If you love truth, you won't struggle with choices. Lies are never an option.
John 17:17 (NLT)
17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
The two big reasons that people lie is fear and pride. Lying compromises your faith. It destroys trust which destroys relationships.
John 8:31-44 (NLT)
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.
35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me
because there’s no room in your hearts for my message.
(like the pathway, stony, and thorny ground)
38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”
39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.
40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.
41 No, you are imitating your real father.”
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”
42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.
43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!
(like the pathway, stony, and thorny ground)
44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning.
He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him.
Whatever the devil tells you. Believe the opposite.
When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
There are two families in the earth which are the family of God and the family of Satan.
God did not create the Devil. He took what God had given him and rebelled.
45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!
The more Godly a person is. The more honest they are. They say what they mean. They mean what they say. Like God.
You don't want to be like the devil. You don't to be false or full of pride.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
There is a lot of things that are true, but do not need to be said.
Ephesians 4:20-26 (NLT)
20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ.
21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Lying and anger is allowing wrong spirits into our lives. The pathway ground was dishonest with themselves about the importance of what they were hearing.
The stony ground got upset and offended at God's word, and gave place to the enemy. If you won't accept the truth, it is an invitation to let the enemy in. It will make you heart ground toxic.
True seed grows in true ground. Be on the watch for a temptation to lie and a temptation to get mad. Let's love the truth and hate the lie and not liars.
The way you get into worse and worse bondage is by rejecting the truth. You will get more blind and in bondage.
2 Timothy 2:25-26 (NLT)
25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth.
Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.
For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
Satan can't mess up everyone's life. People give him place through lies, pride, and anger.
When you are tempted to lie, quit talking. If you lie to someone, be strong and go back to tell them.
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