Hard-Hearted

One of the most powerful parables Jesus taught was the Parable of the Sower or the Parable of the Soils in Luke 8:4-15. What makes the Parable of the Sower so powerful is the amazing truth about seeds. For those who trust in Jesus we are given in-depth information on how the Kingdom of God operates so we too can work these principles in our own lives. 

The Word of God is seed, and the seed will always work because of the power contained inside. However, the soil provides the seed with what it needs to grow and flourish after it is planted. In this parable Jesus taught how the Word of God is planted and received in our hearts and lives. In this we see that the condition of the soil matters in the harvest. The condition of the person’s heart hearing the Word determines the outcome, not the seed itself. The Word is never the problem; instead it is how we react to it. 

Roots Matter 

“A farmer went out to sow his seed…Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.” Luke 8:5a-6 (NIV) 

The second type of soil is the seed sown in rocky soil. As the seeds are tossed on the ground, the dirt is filled with rocks and stones and the roots could not go deep. Immediately as the sun came up, the plants withered because they lacked deep roots. 

When Jesus explained this we learned an important truth, “Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.” Luke 8:13 (NIV). Challenges and temptations will come our way. What matters is our roots. We need deep roots so that when temptations and challenges come, we don’t fade away because the Word was never deeply planted in our hearts. 

Lots of people in the Bible go through loss, mourning, hurting, struggle. Who doesn’t go through those things? Jesus? No. Crucified. Mocked, punched, beaten and crucified. Moses? He has to deal with forty years in the wilderness with grumbling, complaining people. Then he doesn’t even get to go into the Promised Land. John the Baptist? Beheaded. Paul? He was beaten, thrown into prison, had false teachers try to tear down his work in starting churches. And then he is falsely accused, arrested and likely executed. Peter? Crucified upside down.

We live in a broken world. Trouble, pain, hurt should not surprise us. As Christians, we were never promised a life of ease without trouble. That picture is definitely not in the Bible. Now it's okay to be shook by these events, by these troubles. We all will be. But what matters is our roots. This second soil is the picture of people who say: “I’m going to follow Jesus.” Then the hurts of this world begin to make it difficult for them to believe God is trustworthy and good. 

How Hard is Your Heart? 

God cares about the state of our heart. God is a generous God who continues to pour out His mercy and grace on us richly. The seeds were planted in all kinds of soil regardless of their state. Even if someone has a hard heart. 

I know a friend who because of hurt and disappointment in people and in God, has shut those people out and has shut God out. They will not forgive and will not move forward. They hold on to their grief and hurt, and keep score. They have a hard heart. 

How is your heart today? A hard heart toward God can be caused by several things: Disappointment, unbelief, bitterness, and sin. Thankfully with God, no matter how hard or distant we might become towards Him, He is still faithful to us.

“If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV) 

What can soften a hard heart? Identify any unforgiveness, disappointment and bring it before God. A heart that is always before the Lord will soften. Sometimes people even need to express forgiveness to God for their disappointments. It is not because God sinned, but it is because of disappointments they put up a wall towards Him that can only come down through them turning to God and trusting their disappointments to Him. 

We are the cultivators of our hearts. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself: 

● What kind of heart do I have? 

● What can I do to make my heart a fertile place for God’s word to grow?

● What are some of the rocks in my life that are not letting the Word grow deep roots in my heart? 

The harvest is dependent on the condition of the soil.