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 (NKJV)
According to Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, there are four kinds of heart attitudes we can have towards God’s Word. Over the past three days we have discussed the Fence Rider and Low Pain Tolerance hearts. Today we will talk about the third kind that prevents us from receiving God’s best in our lives: The Self-Focused heart.
Jesus’ parable compares this kind of heart to one that is filled with weeds. The seed is planted and it grows, but the weeds choke it out before it has a chance to produce. He gives three examples of weeds that can choke God’s promises out of your life:
1. Worries of this life. If you have a relationship with Jesus but have no time for God or church, are you allowing the stress of family, work, house, car, cabin, sports or others to take over?
2. The deceitfulness of wealth. Wealth doesn’t prevent God’s Word from being planted in your heart. But what does is the lie that if you only had more money you would be happier. It makes you overly focused on money.
3. The desire for other things. We can become so consumed with our quest for more that we push God aside. Actually, putting Him first is the key to getting what we want (Matthew 6:33).
When you look at these three types of weeds there is one common denominator. They are all self-centred desires. Are you putting God first or do you have a few weeds to pull?