There are 3 potential options for sowers/farmers. We could be the sower. We sow words and we specifically sow the Word. Paul said in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 6 that he planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase. We know that we have the power of life and death in our tongue, so we have the capability to sow the Word.

Satan also has the potential to sow words and specifically the Word. When satan sows the Word, he twists it to create doubt. He did this with Eve in the Garden & Jesus in the wilderness.

However, in this story, God is the sower. It is God who sows this seed, His Word. The seed is God's Word. John chapter 1 tells us that Jesus was the Word putting on flesh & living with us.

God scatters in His sowing just like a farmer would scatter his seed even though he knew not all of it would fall on good soil.

The ground on which the seed falls is us; those that hear the word. The seed will remain the same throughout the parable, however the difference will be the ground on which the seed falls. In other words, God's Word doesn't change, we are the variable.

Last week we discovered that the path was that unprepared, hardened ground that people trampled on and the seed had no chance of ever breaking through the surface. People also treat the Word of God like seed dropped onto a path. They often trample on it, sometimes unknowingly.

The seed is immediately taken away. There is a correlation between time and depth. It takes time for things to go deep, and it is the same way with the Word of God. So, when the seed is taken away, it is gone. Meaning, when the Word is stolen, it is no longer there. We realize this when we try to remember last week's sermon or what you read in the bible this week because we have forgotten it....it is gone. The Word either goes in or it goes out. It does not remain in the doorway.

Matthew's gospel gives us more clarity on the seed that falls on the path. Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 13 that the path happens when someone hears the Word but they do not understand it. Luke's account tells us that satan snatches the Word that falls on the path of people's hearts and minds keeping them from faith and salvation. It is absolutely vital that when you are speaking God's Word to someone, that you do it with language that they can understand. If you don't then you could be setting them up to be the path with the most important seed they will ever receive.

The Gentiles allowed their hearts to be hardened which caused their understanding to be darkened. They couldn't understand because they were not willing to hear. A hardened heart will always lead to a lack of understanding.

When you aren't interested in truly listening, you won't be able to understand and then you won't give much thought to what was said. Maybe you are interested but you can't understand how what is said could be true because of your experiences. At that point you won't understand it because you do not choose to believe. There are times where you are willing to listen and you will believe beyond your experiences but you don't understand how that Word applies to your life. You may have a head knowledge but no wisdom in how to do it, so you become paralyzed.

The bible is clear that we should get wisdom and insight, however whenever we hear the Word and we don't understand it we are the path, or that area of our life is the path. So, how do we break up the tough ground that is our heart without understanding? How do we open ourselves up to hearing and understanding and receiving God's Word in every area of our life? How do we get and receive wisdom & insight?

#1 - We must choose to humble ourself.
Proverbs chapter 11 verse 2 says that wisdom is with the humble. James chapter 3 verse 13 says the wise show their works in the meekness of wisdom. Humbling yourself is the starting point for breaking up that tough ground of the path.

#2 - Ask God for wisdom.
James chapter 1 verse 5 instructs us to ask God if we lack wisdom and promises that God will give it to us generously. Paul prayed in Ephesians chapter 1 verses 17 and 18 that the God our Lord Jesus Christ would give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him having our eyes of our hearts enlightened. Proverbs chapter 2 verse 6 simply tells us that the Lord gives wisdom and out of His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

#3 - Follow your guide
Jesus said in John chapter 16, verse 13 that when the Spirit of truth comes (He has already come) He will guide you into all truth. Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. He will reveal things to you that you could have never learned through natural study. He will show you things about yourself, himself and your life that you could have never known otherwise. He will lead you into every truth that you need.

The Kingdom Cypher here is to make sure you don't just hear the Word but you seek to understand it. Hearing the rest of Jesus' parables with a humble, prayerful, sensitive heart will unlock Jesus' words in such a powerful way that you and your life will never be the same. Humble yourself when hearing God's Word, ask God for wisdom and follow your guide to understand all the words of our King!

This week, evaluate every area of your life that may be hardened and have a lack of understanding. Choose to humble yourself, ask God for wisdom and follow your guide to plow that ground so that you can open up and receive the seed of the Word.