“He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.” Matthew 13:3 NLT
To receive faith, we must be open to the teachings of Jesus. We must be open to the whole Word of God. This is the real key to faith. If we are not open to God’s Word, even what we have (the Word) will be taken away.
“To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even their little understanding will be taken away from them.” Matthew 13:12 NLT.
If we do not listen, the Word will be taken away. Why? If the Word is not taken care of like a garden, it will die away. We must water, nourish, and care for God’s Word by continually adding to it to strengthen what is said. If we don’t take care of God’s Word in us, then the devil will come and snatch it away. We are responsible for what teaching and godly training are given to us. Are you allowing God’s Word to take root and build your faith? The heart is the key. Your mind is one area, and the heart is another. Your mind will always have conflicts and battles, but if the Word is embraced and rooted in your heart, your faith will grow. The hardness of the heart will drive away God’s Word. People who have a hard heart will never experience God to fullness. Even believers can close their hearts to the deeper truths of the Word and never experience the freedom and abundance God has for them. The result is no growth, no deepening of faith.
[As adapted from The Bondage Breaker and Stomping Out The Darkness by Dr. Neil Anderson and Dr. Dave Park.]