“Satan is now more earnestly engaged in playing the game of life for souls than at any previous time; and unless we are constantly on our guard, he will establish in our hearts, pride, love of self, love of the world, and many other evil traits. He will also use every possible device to unsettle our faith in God and in the truths of His Word. If we have not a deep experience in the things of God, if we have not a thorough knowledge of his Word, we shall be beguiled to our ruin by the errors and sophistries of the enemy. False doctrines will sap the foundations of many, because they have not learned to discern truth from error.
Our only safeguard against the wiles of Satan is to study the Scriptures diligently, to have an intelligent understanding of the reasons of our faith, and faithfully to perform every known duty.
Review & Herald, November 19, 1908, Article A, par. 6
So then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
“And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred….But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Mark 4:8;Luke 8:15KJV
The “honest and good heart” of which the parable speaks, is not a heart without sin; for the gospel is to be preached to the lost. Christ said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, Mark 2:17.” He confesses his guilt, and feels his need of the mercy and love of God. He has a sincere desire to know the truth, that he may obey it. The good heart is a believing heart, one that has faith in the word of God.
The good-ground hearer receives the word “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13. Only he who receives the Scriptures as the voice of God speaking to himself is a true learner. To those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance, angels of God draw near. The Holy Spirit is given to open to them the rich treasures of the truth....The good-ground hearers, having heard the word, keep it. Satan with all his agencies of evil is not able to catch it away, (wayside hearers).
Merely to hear or to read the word is not enough. He who desires to be profited by the Scriptures must meditate upon the truth that has been presented to him. By earnest attention and prayerful thought he must learn the meaning of the words of truth, and drink deep of the spirit of the holy oracles….The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought will be transformed by communion with God through the study of Scriptures. Those who, having heard the word, keep it, will bring forth fruit in obedience.
The word of God, received into the soul, will be manifest in good works. Its results will be seen in a Christlike character and life…, “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6.
The good-ground hearer, in receiving the word, accepts all its conditions and requirements. His habits, customs, and practices are brought into submission to God’s word. “If a man love Me,” Christ said, “he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23. The spell of a stronger, a perfect mind will be over us; for we have a living connection with the source of all-enduring strength. In our divine life we shall be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ. We shall no longer live the common life of selfishness, but Christ will live in us. His character will be reproduced in our nature. Thus shall we bring forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit—”some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”
“For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns….Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Jeremiah 4:3;Hosea 10:12 KJV
“Throughout the parable of the sower, Christ represents the different results of the sowing as depending upon the soil. In every case the sower and the seed are the same. Thus, He teaches that if the word of God fails of accomplishing its work in our hearts and lives, the reason is to be found in ourselves.
But the result is not beyond our control. True, we cannot change ourselves; but the power of choice is ours, and it rests with us to determine what we will become.The wayside, the stony-ground, the thorny-ground hearers need not remain such. The Spirit of God is ever seeking to break the spell of infatuation that holds men absorbed in worldly things, and to awaken a desire for the imperishable treasure.
It is by resisting the Spirit that men become inattentive to or neglectful of God’s word. They are themselves responsible for the hardness of heart that prevents the good seed from taking root, and for the evil growths that check its development, (take Pharaoh of Egypt in the days of Moses for example).
The garden of the heart must be cultivated. The soil must be broken up by deep repentance for sin. Poisonous, Satanic plants must be uprooted. The soil once overgrown by thorns can be reclaimed only by diligent labor. So, the evil tendencies of the natural heart can be overcome only by earnest effort in the name and strength of Jesus.”
“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them…He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
Matthew 13:7,22 KJV
The gospel seed often falls among thorns and noxious weeds; and if there is not a moral transformation in the human heart, if old habits and practices and the former life of sin are not left behind, if the attributes of Satan are not expelled from the soul, the wheat crop will be choked.The thorns will come to be the crop, and will kill out the wheat.
The thorns of sin will grow in any soil; they need no cultivation; but grace must be carefully cultivated.
If the heart is not kept under the control of God, if the Holy Spirit does not work unceasingly to refine and ennoble the character, the old habits will reveal themselves in the life….If they (individuals) do not gain the victory over sin, then sin is gaining the victory over them. The thorns that have been cut off but not uprooted grow apace, until the soul is overspread with them.
…the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life; These are what choke the word, the growing spiritual seed. The soul ceases to draw nourishment from Christ, and spirituality dies out of the heart. Too often those who possess worldly treasure forget that it is God who gives them power to get wealth.They say, “My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.” Deuteronomy 8:17KJV. Their riches, instead of awakening gratitude to God, lead to the exaltation of self. They lose the sense of their dependence upon God and their obligation to their fellow men.
The warning is given, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:15, 16 KJV.
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away….And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended (fall away from the truth).
Mark 4:5-6,16-17 KJV
The seed sown upon stony ground finds little depth of soil. The plant springs up quickly, but the root cannot penetrate the rock to find nutriment to sustain its growth, and it soon perishes. Many who make a profession of religion are stony-ground hearers. Like the rock underlying the layer of earth, the selfishness of the natural heart underlies the soil of their good desires and aspirations. The love of self is not subdued…This class may be easily convinced, and appear to be bright converts, but they have only a superficial (surface level) religion.
The roots of the plant strike down deep into the soil, and hidden from sight nourish the life of the plant. So with the Christian; it is by the invisible union of the soul with Christ, through faith, that the spiritual life is nourished. But the stony-ground hearers depend upon self instead of Christ. They trust in their good works and good impulses, and are strong in their own righteousness.
The hot summer sun, that strengthens and ripens the hardy grain, destroys that which has no depth of root. So he who “hath not root in himself,” “dureth for a while”; but “when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended, Matthew 13:21 KJV .” Many receive the gospel as a way of escape from suffering, rather than as a deliverance from sin. They rejoice for a season, for they think that religion will free them from difficulty and trial. While life moves smoothly with them, they may appear to be consistent Christians. But they faint beneath the fiery test of temptation. They cannot bear reproach (shame) for Christ’s sake.
There are very many who claim to serve God, but who have no experimental knowledge of Him…..They profess to accept Christ as their Saviour, but they do not believe that He will give them power to overcome their sins.
The only hope for these souls is to realise in themselves the truth of Christ’s words to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” “Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:7, 3KJV.
The effort to serve both self and Christ makes one a stony-ground hearer, and he will not endure when the test comes upon him.
Hearken; Behold, there went out a Sower to sow: and it came to pass, as He sowed (the seed), some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up…. And He said unto them, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear…. The Sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Mark 4:3-4, 9, 14-15 KJV
“That with which the parable of the sower chiefly deals is the effect produced on the growth of the seed by the soil into which it is cast.
The seed sown by the wayside represents the word of God as it falls upon the heart of an inattentive hearer.
Like the hard-beaten path, trodden down by the feet of men and beasts, is the heart that becomes a highway for the world’s traffic, its pleasures and sins.
As the birds are ready to catch up the seed from the wayside, so Satan is ready to catch away the seeds of divine truth from the soul. He fears that the word of God may awaken the careless, and take effect upon the hardened heart.
The good seed finds no place to take root, and Satan catches it away.”
“…it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks….For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand…if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts…Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me…”
Acts 4:6; Psalm 95:7; Revelation 3:20 KJV
The Lord sends us warning, counsel, and reproof, that we may have opportunity to correct our errors before they become second nature. But if we refuse to be corrected, God does not interfere to counteract the tendencies of our own course of action. He works no miracle that the seed sown may not spring up and bear fruit. That man who manifests an infidel hardihood or a stolid indifference to divine truth, is but reaping the harvest which he has himself sown. Such has been the experience of many. They listen with stoical indifference to the truths which once stirred their very souls. They sowed neglect, indifference, and resistance to the truth; and such is the harvest which they reap. The coldness of ice, the hardness of iron, the impenetrable, unimpressible nature of rock—all these find a counterpart in the character of many a professed Christian. It was thus that the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh. God spoke to the Egyptian king by the mouth of Moses, giving him the most striking evidences of divine power; but the monarch stubbornly refused the lightwhich would have brought him to repentance. God did not send a supernatural power to harden the heart of the rebellious king, but as Pharaoh resisted the truth, the Holy Spirit was withdrawn, and he was left to the darkness and unbelief which he had chosen. By persistent rejection of the Spirit’s influence, men cut themselves off from God. He has in reserve no more potent agency to enlighten their minds. No revelation of His will can reach them in their unbelief.
Our High Calling pg. 160
It is not God that blinds the eyes of men or hardens their hearts. He sends them light to correct their errors, and to lead them in safe paths; it is by the rejection of this light that the eyes are blinded and the heart hardened. Often the process is gradual, and almost imperceptible. Light comes to the soul through God’s word, through His servants, or by the direct agency of His Spirit; but when one ray of light is disregarded, there is a partial benumbing of the spiritual perceptions, and the second revealing of light is less clearly discerned. So the darkness increases, until it is night in the soul.
The Desire of Ages pg.322
“Every rejection of light hardens the heart and darkens the understanding; and thus men find it more and more difficult to distinguish between right and wrong, and they become bolder in resisting the will of God.”
Conflict & Courage pg.88
Do not kick against the pricks and convictions of the Holy Spirit in your heart. He stands at the door and knocks, today, if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
“And YOU He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (satan), the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ(by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…..Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience….But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him (God)….
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally (fleshly) minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness…. if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings…..Dearly beloved, I beseech you….. abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.…. For they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth me.”
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.“
John 10:27; Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, “Follow Me,” and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows who gladly hear His call, and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth.
It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviour’s matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary’s cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him.
“Jesus has not left you to be amazed at the trials and difficulties you meet. He has told you all about them, and He has told you also not to be cast down and oppressed when trials come. Look to Jesus, your Redeemer, and be cheerful and rejoice.”
Testimonies for the Church, volume 8, pg. 128
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try (test) you, as though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV
“He is able and willing to help you whenever you call upon Him.”
“If you try to carry your burdens alone, you will be crushed under them. You have heavy responsibilities. Jesus knows about them, and He will not leave you alone if you do not leave Him…. He bids you hope in His mercy, believing that He does not desire you to carry these weighty responsibilities in your own strength. Only believe, and you will see the salvation of God.”
Testimonies for the Church, volume 8, pg. 128
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day.”
Exodus 14:13 KJV
“Do you feel your insufficiency for the position of trust that you occupy? Thank God for this. The more you feel your weakness, the more you will be inclined to seek for a helper. “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8 KJV
Testimonies for the Church, volume 8, pg. 128
Cast your burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain thee, He will never suffer the righteous to be moved. Christ says to you this day reader, “My presence shall go before thee and I shall give thee rest”, “as thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
Loud Cry Compendium 