The soil represents the human heart. Jesus explained that there are four kinds of hearts (soil).
The soil represents the human heart. Jesus explained that there are four kinds of hearts (soil).
The hard heart Matthew 13:19, “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.” This is the person that does not understand the Word of God.
The shallow soil represents an emotional heart Matthew 13:20-21, “The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at
Once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.” There is no depth or root. The sun represents persecution. Persecution can help us grow if we have roots in our spiritual life. In this case the sun killed the plant.
The crowded heart Matthew 13:22, “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.” This represents the soil that is choked with weeds. The weeds represent those influences from the world that choke the seed and keep it from bearing fruit.” Jesus identified these weeds as the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.
The fruitful heart Matthew 13:23, “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Compare Mark 4:20 and Luke 8:15. The secret of a fruitful heart is a hearing ear. The Samaritan woman in John 4 is an example of the four kinds of hearts. Notice the changes in her heart as a result of Jesus counseling.