Mark 4:18-19 MKJV And these are those being sown among thorns; such as hear the Word, 19 and the cares of this world, and the deceit of riches, and the lust about other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.
When the Lord Jesus teaches, He uses many different methods. Here He illustrates spiritual and practical principles of life.
The Lord Jesus speaks of seeds being sown and some landing among thorns. He compares these seeds to people who hear God’s message and believe, but something happens. Instead of growing and being productive, their life turned into seeking and worrying about gaining possessions. Because of this, the important things in life and eternity are neglected, even might be lost.
Why does this happen?
B1 All starts well but some begin drifting away from their original intentions.
C1 The Galatians started well but drifted quickly beginning to believe some additions were needed besides believing the Gospel. One of these was the necessity of obeying the Law. Galatians 1:6 NLT I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News.
C2 Some drift because of competing loyalties. See 1 John 2:15-17, 2 Peter 2:1, and 1 Timothy 4:1.
C3 Some drift because of evil influences from family, friends, false pastors, misinformed Christians, lusts, etc. All of which come from satan. Satan has his agents and programs to destroy Christians. See 1 Peter 5:8.
B2 Loss of first love.
C1 Revelation 2:4 EMTV Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
C2 Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
B3 Reordering of priorities. See Matthew 6:33, Romans 12:2, Luke 12:34, Matthew 6:10.
C1 Luke 10:41-42 GW The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. 42 There's only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her."
C2 John 14:15 NRSV If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
B4 Spiritually starving because of not reading and studying Scripture.
C1 Psalms 119:130 LITV The entering of Your Word gives light, giving discernment to the simple.
C2 1 Peter 2:2 WEB as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow. The word pure has the idea of without deceit, without guile (Compare 1 Peter 2:1 “without guile”).
C3 Hebrews 5:11-14
B5 Becoming addicted to earthly things.
C1 Romans 12:21 NLT Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
C2 2 Peter 2:19 NRSV They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. [Emphasis—mine. The principle taught is a person can become enslaved to all types of things—power, money, sex, drugs, abuse, work, success, etc.]
B6 Bad teaching from pastors and teachers.
C1 2 Peter 2:1-3 NLT But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
C2 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NLT These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
B7 Other evil influencers.
C1 1 Corinthians 15:33 EMTV Do not be deceived: "Evil associations corrupts good habits.
C2 Proverbs 12:26 NRSV The righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray.
B8 Recurrence of former habits.
C1 Proverbs 26:11 NIV As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. Compare 2 Peter 2:22.
C2 2 Timothy 4:10 NIV for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
How do we avoid this happening to us?
B1 Pray for ourselves and for others
C1 Colossians 1:10-12 NLT Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
C2 2 Thessalonians 3:5 LEB Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and toward the patient endurance of Christ.
B2 Rely on the grace of God
C1 We cannot assume God’s help. We must rely on it. “God help me.” Psalms 55:22 NLT Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
C2 James 4:6 EMTV But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
B3 Encourage others and let them encourage you. Listen to them. These people might be our spouse, our parents, our children, etc. Don’t ignore their concerns. Don’t argue. Listen. Pray about it. We may learn some very important things about ourselves.
C1 1 Thessalonians 5:11 GW Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.
C2 Hebrews 10:24 NIV And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
C3 Colossians 3:16 NRSV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
B4 Read and study the Scriptures. Some suggestions. Always be a little skeptical. Here is one source. Daily Quiet Time Bible Study
B5 When understanding we are drifting away, pray for forgiveness, and God’s help to be faithful.
C1 1 John 1:9 EMTV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
C2 Proverbs 28:13 NLT People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
B6 Make a conscious effort to be alert to temptation.
C1 Luke 21:34-36 WEL Be very careful for yourselves lest at any time your hearts be weighed down by overindulgence, drunkenness, and the worries in this life, so that day comes upon you unexpectedly. 35 “For like a snare it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole world. 36 “Therefore, watch carefully and always pray that you may be considered worthy to escape these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man.
C2 Hebrews 2:1 NIV We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
B7 Realize that being steadfast and faithful is important.
C1 Luke 9:62 NRSV Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
C2 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 HCSB A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God’s mysteries. 2 In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful.
Psalm 54:4 NIV Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
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