An Enemy Called “Self.” Mark 4:18-19
“18) And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19) but the the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Mark 4:18-19
Jesus now talks about the third kind of soil. This could be called “the thorny ground.” As the seed started sprouting in this soil, the thorns grow up and choked out the little plants. As a result they were dwarfed and produced no fruit.
He likened this to the the the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things. When you study this list, you quickly discover the third enemy is “self.”
I have found “self” to be the most difficult enemy in my Christian life. Jesus defeated Satan, I can choose not listen to others, but “self” is always present.
In these three soils, we have an unseen enemy, an external enemy and an internal enemy. My flesh feeds on pleasures and distractions. Over the years, I have been my own worst enemy.
Jesus classified the distractions as 1) the worries of the world, 2) the deceitfulness of riches, and 3) the desire for other things. They each cry for attention and mess with our emotions, priorities and value system. They have sucked much time, attention and resources from me over the years.
At some point on your way to Christian maturity, you need to take up your cross and crucify “self.” According to Galatian 5:16-17, the flesh and the Spirit are in constant war with one another. There will be no fruit of the Spirit if the deeds of the flesh thrive in your life!
You need to take this enemy seriously. If you neglect your garden for one week, weeds sprout in abundance. If you neglect your garden for two weeks, the weeds spread like crazy. If you neglect your garden for a month, the weeds surpass your valued plants. If you neglect your garden for two months the weeds totally take over and choke out your harvest. Like a garden, a life can become a mess very quickly.
It is no coincidence that Jesus used the parable of the sower to illustrate the Christan life. Adam was created to cultivate and keep the Garden of Eden. After the fall, dealing with weeds and thorns became a daunting task. Studying this parable contains all the wisdom and insight you need to produces an abundant harvest.
Jesus Christ has put thirty, sixty and a hundred percent yield within your reach. If you neglect your garden, you will forfeit your harvest! A life is a terrible thing to waste! Learn well the parable of the sower and put daily diligence in your favor. Jesus has put everything in your reach for an abundant harvest! Cultivate your life and unleash your potential in the Spirit.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“18) And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19) but the the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Mark 4:18-19
Jesus now talks about the third kind of soil. This could be called “the thorny ground.” As the seed started sprouting in this soil, the thorns grow up and choked out the little plants. As a result they were dwarfed and produced no fruit.
He likened this to the the the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things. When you study this list, you quickly discover the third enemy is “self.”
I have found “self” to be the most difficult enemy in my Christian life. Jesus defeated Satan, I can choose not listen to others, but “self” is always present.
In these three soils, we have an unseen enemy, an external enemy and an internal enemy. My flesh feeds on pleasures and distractions. Over the years, I have been my own worst enemy.
Jesus classified the distractions as 1) the worries of the world, 2) the deceitfulness of riches, and 3) the desire for other things. They each cry for attention and mess with our emotions, priorities and value system. They have sucked much time, attention and resources from me over the years.
At some point on your way to Christian maturity, you need to take up your cross and crucify “self.” According to Galatian 5:16-17, the flesh and the Spirit are in constant war with one another. There will be no fruit of the Spirit if the deeds of the flesh thrive in your life!
You need to take this enemy seriously. If you neglect your garden for one week, weeds sprout in abundance. If you neglect your garden for two weeks, the weeds spread like crazy. If you neglect your garden for a month, the weeds surpass your valued plants. If you neglect your garden for two months the weeds totally take over and choke out your harvest. Like a garden, a life can become a mess very quickly.
It is no coincidence that Jesus used the parable of the sower to illustrate the Christan life. Adam was created to cultivate and keep the Garden of Eden. After the fall, dealing with weeds and thorns became a daunting task. Studying this parable contains all the wisdom and insight you need to produces an abundant harvest.
Jesus Christ has put thirty, sixty and a hundred percent yield within your reach. If you neglect your garden, you will forfeit your harvest! A life is a terrible thing to waste! Learn well the parable of the sower and put daily diligence in your favor. Jesus has put everything in your reach for an abundant harvest! Cultivate your life and unleash your potential in the Spirit.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
