Hosanna Restoration Church

If there is one thing we need, it is to understand what Jesus says. We are told in the Word to get understanding. We have previously talked about how Jesus revealed things to them when they were alone. In order to desire to be alone with Him, we need to see a reason why we should. We need to recognize the importance of the time we spend with Him, and the great cost of not spending time alone with Him. The fact is, that many people just do not see why they should take any time at all for the Lord. Others think that they are doing plenty by going to church once in a while. Still others think a few times a week should be more than enough. Some do all that and read their Bibles and think surely that is enough. Wise people realize there is no such thing as enough. Because we all know that you can not get enough of a good thing!

Understanding this parable may help us to realize a greater need for time with the Lord. Realizing that there is much more to this parable than could possibly be put in one devotion, I want to look at it from the perspective of recognizing the tactics of the enemy to keep us from the truth and the fruit it will produce in our lives.

The first thing the enemy wants to do is steal the truth before we even know what it is. This is what happens to those people who can see no real use for God at all. These people have come to believe the lie that God is a fairy tale, or any God will do, or that they themselves are God. The truth has just plain been kept from them. The enemy not only uses this strategy to keep people from salvation, but he also uses it to keep believers from discovering truths that will make them more powerful and victorious Christians.

His next strategy, should we hear the truth and like it, is to dislodge it before it can take root. He will blow the truth over onto a stony spot in our hearts. He may remind us that we have heard it before and it did not do much good. We have to be wise to this tactic and do all we can to get the rocks out of the way and give the Word of God the opportunity to do its’ effective work.

Next, if the word happens to get past the rocks and into soil so that some roots are established, the enemy has to really scramble. At this point he begins an all out assault on everyone and everything around us. He will attack relationships, finances, emotions, and anything he can, to try and choke out that truth that is starting to grow. Be ware, for he may attack in ways we least expect. He may help us to prosper by compromise so we will not need the Word. He may provide us with a relationship that will distract us from God. He may make us feel important so that we have so much to do and so many depending on us that we do not have time for God. All the while the goal is to destroy us. And destroy us he will if he can keep us from time with God.

Perhaps in reading this, you can see where this has been happening to you and you just did not realize it. If so, simply get alone with God, and covenant with Him to change. Let’s see to it that we watch for those birds trying to snatch truth from us. We should be making sure that we do not let what we do catch just blow away because we are too lazy tend the ground. We should be alert to the schemes the enemy uses to choke the word out. In every circumstance we should be anxious for every Word of God to grow up in us and produce the hundred fold fruit.