The word of God is like a seed, and it contains the life and power of God. When we believe in Jesus, the seed of God’s word is planted in the ground of our hearts.
This new life from God is to grow and become strong within us.
Sometimes as we go on in our Christian life, the word of God becomes weak. It might get choked by other things. When a plant is choked out by other plants it becomes weak and small. It doesn’t get much light. It doesn’t produce fruit.
“Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19)
Jesus lists three things that can choke the word of God in us.
The first thing that can choke the word is the cares of this world. Worries and anxiety about life can choke out the word of God. We might worry about getting food, clothes, or shelter. Maybe we are anxious about health or relationships. Worry can choke the word because it produces doubt that God will take care of us. Our energy is sapped seeking other things in order to alleviate our worry.
Martha was stressed out and anxious about many things, but Mary just sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word. We need to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear from him in order for his word to be strong within us.
The Bible says to be anxious for nothing. Worry has no place in us as we grow in God. Instead of worrying, we are to cast our burdens on the Lord. He will sustain us. We do this through prayer.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Even if a person has everything he needs, he can still be ensnared by the next thing – the deceitfulness of riches.
Riches are deceitful. Money promises satisfaction but never gives it. No matter how much money a person has he will not be satisfied with that money. He wants more. Stuff will never make us happy. Wanting more toys and bigger and better things will not help us. It is a Satanic game that tricks us, making us want to keep up with others in pursuing stuff for no good reason – laying treasure on earth, and then it will all be gone like a vapor.
The third thing Jesus said would choke the word is the lusts or desires for other things. God is the only one that can truly satisfy, and every good gift comes from him. When we pursue things that are not according to God, then we will sin and become disobedient. This can choke out the word of God.
When the word is choked within us, then we become unfruitful. The fruit we are to bear is the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. When the word of God is strong in us, this fruit will be born in us. Then when the stresses of life come, this fruit will be revealed. But when we have the opposite of these things – not love but hatred, not joy but depression, not peace but turmoil, not patience but exasperation, etc. – then we are showing symptoms that the word of God is choked in us. It is not bearing fruit.
At times like this we need to refocus our lives on what really matters. We need to prioritize God and his word. Pray. Have fellowship with strong believers. Obey God.
Jesus calls the things that choke the word thorns. Thorns are weeds that are produced by seeds. Just like God’s word is a seed, so Satan’s words are seeds. Satanic lies are weed seeds that produce thorns in our lives. These weeds need to be cut down, and the lying seeds need to be uprooted.
Lies from Satan that produce thorns in our lives will be cut down by the sharp sword of God’s word. The truth demolishes lies and sets us free from the bondage that comes by believing lies.
Is the life of God in you being choked out? Are you lacking the fruit of the Spirit? Refocus on God and his word. Cut down the lies of Satan with the truth of God’s word. Tend the garden of your heart by sowing it with the seeds of God’s truth and watering it with the Holy Spirit. Then your life will be strong like a tree.
“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3)
Lincoln House Churches 