Mark 4:7; 18
7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop.
18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Are the thorns choking the word of God in my life so that it becomes unfruitful? That is a question I am asking myself after reading this portion of scripture. One of the things that struck me is that verse 7 says thorns chocked the seed and it yielded no crop. The seed that fell on the path was taken away by the birds. The one that fell on stony ground did not have much root so it weathered away but this one is different. It seems like it grew but it yielded no crop. Now that is a dangerous place to be, you know the word but because of the worries and cares of this world then the word bears no fruit in your life. In essence you don’t really believe what the word says because you are so focused on the natural and worldly trends.
One of the hall marks of this generation is the deceitfulness of riches and many are chasing after it with all that they have. This deceitfulness has caused many to divert from the faith while others are living a double life.
1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, [a]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Contentment and godliness is one message that needs to be preached to us again in this generation. When the pursuit for riches becomes all that you live for then it will choke the word and you will not see fruit. Sometimes we read this and we think it applies to those who are rich, not necessarily. I know rich people who are not consumed by the deceitfulness of riches while the opposite is also true, I know people who are poor but they are consumed with the deceit of riches and that is what they have put their energies into chasing. It boils down to the attitude of one’s heart.
Jesus goes on to state that the desire for other things enters and chokes the word. How I pray that my desire for other things will not be greater than my desire for God and His word to mold me and change me that I may see fruit in my life.
