Distractions

Luke 8:5,11,12 ESV
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.”

This parable of Jesus depicts three different situations in our lives that keep us from understanding, accepting and applying His words, or God’s words. The first situation is considered the hard path. It represents people who hear God’s Word but their openness to the lies they have accepted are already so strong the words or truth and life do not penetrate their hearts. 

Also, the soil represents those who never heard the word with understanding. The word of God must be understood before it can truly bear fruit in us.

One of Satan’s chief works is to keep us in darkness regarding our understanding of the gospel. When Jesus says that “the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts,” this taking away seems to be more of a filling the culture with distractions and clouding society with lies concerning God, so their attentions are elsewhere.

Satan is only one being who can only be in one place at a time. He more efficiently attacks humanity by influencing the cultures that we live under. Our distractions, if you will, are the things that bog us down with the cares of this life.

Jesus is giving this teaching as a warning. We cannot allow the things of this world to keep us from our true purpose in doing the will of the Father, and understanding His guidance and directions.

My advice, allow the words of God to penetrate our hearts and minds every day. Think about His words, meditate on His words, speak His words. Then, when these cares of life come, we will reject them for the truth that we know is In God’s words.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have You in my heart, I have You in my life, and I have the Father’s words inside of me to keep me on the narrow way. Thank You Lord Jesus, Amen!