A Hardened Heart

Reading: Luke 8:5, 15

"A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field,

some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it... 

The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, 

only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts 

and prevent them from believing and being saved." 

Luke 8:5, 15 NLT

Jesus speaks of a person who is resistant to His words. The seed of the message sits on top of the hard "soil" of the path, the heart  that is too resistant to receive the seed. With out the cover of soft soil the seed is vulnerable to the birds (the enemy) to devour it and end the life giving fruit that would come in this persons life, had they received the seed. Jesus is speaking here of an unbeliever that hears His words and walks away from the life offered. But, I think in the life of a believer, we can have area's of resistance in our heart to the seed of the word bringing the life of a greater experience of God's presence in our life. Though we sincerely believe in the life and message of Jesus, are His words finding expression in our every day life? "... if my words abide in you... "Are there area's in your life where you have your own self directive? Just getting things done with out regard for abiding in Christ. Is there anything that might keep you from knowing Him better? Ask Him "Is there anything I have not let God touch? " Is there a resistance? Ask God to search your heart and reveal any area's that are hard, preventing His word from creating a deep work in your life.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
Psalm 139:23,24

Our heart is like a treasury where we either store either good treasure or bad. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." In other words, "whatever is in your heart will determine what you say." See Matt. 12:33-37, James 3:9-12 If we are wanting to know what is stored there, we can listen to what we say.

How do we soften hard area's in our heart? It is similar to breaking up hard ground. Two things: Soak it in the rain water of the word of God (see Isaiah 55:10,11) and break it up with a plow.

"Sow for yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow (hard) ground,
for it is time to seek the Lord,
till He comes and rains righteousness on you."
Hosea 10:12

Finally, don't let the enemy steal God's word from your heart. Hide it in your heart. Write it down in a journal, on note cards, carry it with you, memorize it. Choose something simple and live in it. Guard your heart.

"I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you."
Ps. 119:11 .

"Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life."
Pr. 4:22