What is Hindering your Growth?

“Hear ye therefore the parable of the Sower.” Matthew 13:18

The parable of the Sower can explain the causes that hinders a believer’s growth. We are to grow into the image of Christ, for Christ is the incorruptible seed. The seed is grown into four different kinds of soil. The seed is the word of the gospel of Christ. This is the seed of faith. Faith in Jesus Christ who is the head of the church. This is the lively hope of an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that faded not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

1 Peter 1:3-5

We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, yet at times, we would with draw from the seed of faith to go a different way. The way of self is a person who has a strong will that professes to be a believer but has not fully surrendered their will to God. Many do not have the ear to fully listen to the truth about who Jesus is. Jesus spoke in parables because of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven [see Matthew 13:11]. Jesus said the “people’s heart is become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing,” [Matthew 13:15].

Has your heart become insensitive and your ears dull of hearing? Let us look at the four soils where the seed was planted. The first seed is on the wayside which has no root at all. It has no root because the wicked one has taken it away. This seed is the root of bitterness, criticism, doubt and unbelief. The second seed is sown in stony ground. This is a person who is moved by strong appeal and at first receives the message of the word with joy but falls away because of fear. They have not counted the cost of the gospel of Christ. They could not withstand tribulation and persecution.

The third seed is sown in thorny ground. This seed takes root but does not grow up to bear fruit. The thorns have sprung up around the plant and has overshadowed them. The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches have choked them from bearing fruit. The lust for other things has choked the word from bearing good fruit [see Mark 4:19]. The fourth seed is grown in good ground. This seed has roots and has grown up to bear good fruits in different amounts. Some bear 100-fold, while others bear 60 and 30-fold. This seed hears and understands the word of God.

It is said that a lack of cultivation is the cause of many believers to not grow up and bear good fruit. Lack of knowledge of the word of God has led to a lack of growth. Cultivation means to till and fertilize the land. The soil needs to be prepared by breaking up the hardness of the soil and feeding it with fertilizer to soften the soil for the seed. Remember, Jesus said that the heart has become gross. In otherwards the heart is dull or insensitive to know and understand the word of God, therefore it needs to be tilled and fertilized.

The importance of the Holy Spirit to come and soften the hearts of men and women is vital in receiving the word of God. We must pray for the Spirit to move upon our dull hearts to hear the truth of the word of God. If you find yourself in one of the three grounds that do not grow, repent and pray to be delivered from that ground of soil and come into the new ground and become a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Believe in the incorruptible seed, which is Jesus who will take care of you, for He is the good shepherd that gave His life for the sheep [see John 10:11]. Surrender your will to Him and He will make sure to take care of all your needs. Stay the course in faith and you will bear fruit. Remember the three soils where there is no fruit and pray that your heart and ear do not become dull of hearing.