The People

Let us examine the four types (or stages) of grounds the Bible illuminates for us via the parable of the sower and the seed. Notice that the seed—the Word of God—is sown in all four: no one is excluded (Matthew 24:14).

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 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. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:18-23)

1. Group 0: Waysiders

This person has little to no Word in their heart: they are an unbeliever. "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:19). Unfortunately, the majority of the world fits into this group (atheists, agnostics, false religions, cults, etc.). A subset of this group actually considers themselves Christian. These "Waysider Christians" tend to talk about God but they seldom mention Jesus. Many even go to church regularly; generally for social/political reasons or from habit (raised in a "Christian" environment), or, like a trip to a therapist, it makes them feel better. "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it" (Jeremiah 6:10). They often talk about spirituality; however, their spirituality is based more on mysticism than on "the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). Since they lack faith, their obedience is subjective or non-existent. Without faith and obedience they cannot understand the Word of God. Thus Waysiders are not Christian at all: their sins have not been washed "in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14); they are reprobate. "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness" (Proverbs 30:12). "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16). Thus, they rely on their subjective experience to substantiate their "direct" knowledge of God. They are really not interested in getting to know God and Jesus Christ whom he sent. They are content in their view of themselves that they are a relatively "good" people. "His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone" (Job 41:24). "Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 7:12).

2. Group 1: Stony Christians

This person is weak in the faith; they are full of darkness (sins, strong holds, devils). "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations" (Romans 14:1). While they receive the Word initially, the hardness of their heart does not allow the Word to take root and bring forth fruit. Though they may not recognize it, they struggle with internal (spiritual) battles and darkness prevails in their lives. Due, however, to ignorance, lack of faith, and/or lack of spiritual power, they unsuccessfully wrestle "against the wiles of the devil" and he easily entraps them time and time again. "For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge" (Jeremiah 4:22). Thus they have not or are not actively working out their own salvation (deliverance). Here are some additional characteristics that broadly define this group or person (not all may apply to any one person):

• They seldom read or study the Word.
• When they hear the Word, they receive it initially and are excited about it; however, they lack spiritual depth—patience, experience, discernment, hope and faith.
• They lack the wisdom of God and understanding, and as such, as soon as persecution comes about their beliefs, doubt creeps in and they lose the nugget of the Word they received.
• For those that do study the Word, they are barren and/or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of the Christian "Intellectuals" emerge from this group. Intellectualism based on their carnal not spiritual mind (Romans 8:6-7).
• They tend to believe that the powers manifested in the New Testament were for that period of time. They incorrectly interpret 1 Corinthians 13:8 ("Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away") to mean that prophecies, tongues and the other gifts of the Holy Ghost have ceased.
• They tend to live in fear of the devil or they pretend that the devil doesn't exist. As a result, they do not talk or deal with casting out devils: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils" (Mark 16:17).
• Many in this group relate to the Lord through works of the law not faith. There are entire Christian denominations focused on these dead works that are convinced that they are serving the Lord. Scripture says otherwise: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified" (Galatians 2:16). "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Romans 10:2-4).

These Stony Christians oppose themselves by their ignorance. "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe" (Hebrews 5:12-13). Thus, it takes other Christians grounded in the Word to help them: "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

3. Group 2: Thorny Christians

This person is a backslider (castaway). This person no longer seeks first the Kingdom of God; the Word of God does not have dominance. Worldly matters and the coveting of riches dominate their thoughts. "As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame ... Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men" (Hosea 4:7, 13). As a result, the Word of God takes a backseat and this person's faith languishes. They have grown spiritually; they have been delivered from many sins, strong holds and devils. They even began to bring forth spiritual fruit and have also exhibited some spiritual gift(s). They, however, instead of continuing to grow in the Lord, they become complacent and less vigilant. The Word of God becomes a means to acquire their heart's desire; however, their heart is no longer focused on doing the will of God, but on fulfilling their own will. Their past spiritual successes blind them and "Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage" (Deuteronomy 8:14). Thus, they move on to "conquer" the world thinking that God is with them; however, he is not. Their focus on worldly matters and their growing desire to be successful in the world draws their heart away to covetousness. "And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not" (Ezekiel 33:31-32). As a result, they become unfruitful—they "fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (1 Timothy 3:7); however, they hide behind worldly success to try to cover their thorns. "But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned" (Hebrews 6:8). Here are some additional characteristics that broadly define this group or person (not all may apply to any one person):

• Their focus is not sanctification rather it is "baptism in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues." From their perspective, sanctification and baptism in the Holy Ghost are synonymous. Thus, once their "sanctification" has manifested they feel they have "arrived."
• They often pride themselves in their ability to pray for hours in an unknown tongue ... to speak mysteries unbeknownst to them in the spirit. Even though they do not know what they prayed about; it makes them feel better they will say.
• Their communication with God is primarily one-sided: they make requests to him. Their communication from God, if any, is primarily via "checks in the spirit": a sense of caution that they attribute to the Holy Ghost ... they ignore human intuition as another source (that is not spiritual they will say). Since they do not often hear that still small voice, they generally, in hindsight, will tell you the purpose of the check. Thus instead of being sure by simply asking God, they make guesses about his intent and hope that they are right.
• They may have "moments of anointing" in which some spiritual gift manifests like prophesying. These moments become buoys in a sea of powerlessness.

"The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself" (Proverbs 14:14). "And ye shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you" (Ezekiel 11:12). "For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings" (Jeremiah 4:3-4).

4. Group 3: Good Ground—Disciples of Christ

This person is a disciple of Jesus Christ. They are purposely dying everyday in order to deny their old self. "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). They seek first the Kingdom of God and all his righteousness. They are students of the Word of God and they meditate therein night and day. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). Their focus each day is to grow their relationship with the Lord: to know a little more about God and Jesus Christ—to bring their thoughts, speech, and lives in order with the Word of God; in short, they live to please God. Because of their strong belief and obedience learned through suffering, they have the sign of the New Covenant: the Word written in their hearts.

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. (Jeremiah 32:38-40)

Thus, as they receive more Word, it grows strong roots and brings forth more spiritual fruit. They are actively growing from a babe in Christ to a spiritually mature son/daughter of God. From self-centered to Christ and other centered: they are learning to walk in love. Their spiritual ears are attuned to the still small voice of God and they obey his voice: they "are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14). See "Understanding Discipleship" for more on this group of Christians.

Taking the Name of the Lord in Vain

The Stony and Thorny Christians along with the Waysiders have transgressed the Lord in the basest way: they have taken the name of the Lord in vain. "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain" (Deuteronomy 5:11). They call themselves Christians; however, "Well hath [Isaiah] prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men" (Mark 7:6-8). As such, the vow they uttered to be subject to Jesus Christ, to have him as their Lord, and to deny themselves, is void (2 Corinthians 6:1). The question from Jesus to them is, "why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say" (Luke 6:46)? "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). They need to heed Solomon's admonishment: "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands" (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6)? We discuss this subject further in "In the Name—The Harry Potter Christianity" in which we show more misuses of the name of God.

Let Not God Speak With Us

Due to the spirits of tradition and idolatry, the Stony and Thorny Christians along with the Waysiders are predisposed to wanting a standout, wanting someone who speaks to their needs, wanting someone who is "anointed," wanting someone who appears to know God or at least appears to know about God, and wanting someone to stand between them and God. In short, they want someone other than God to rule them. We see this early in the life of the church. The children of Israel feared the awesomeness of God: the heavens roared with thunder and lightning. "And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount" (Exodus 19:16-17).

And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. (Exodus 20:18-20)

"'Speak thou with us . . . but let not God speak with us.' We show how little we love God by preferring to listen to His servants only. We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we do not desire that God Himself should speak to us. Why are we so terrified lest God should speak to us? Because we know that if God does speak, either the thing must be done or we must tell God we will not obey Him. If it is only the servant's voice we hear, we feel it is not imperative, we can say, 'Well, that is simply your own idea, though I don't deny it is probably God's truth.'"⁷⁴ The children of Israel, not only did not want God to speak to them directly, but, eventually, they did not want a prophet of God to rule over them. They wanted to emulate the heathen nations which had kings to reign over them.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. (1 Samuel 8:4-8)

They wanted a king they could be proud of: a king with the outward appearance of an earthly king (tall, dark, handsome, brave, and strong). The Lord gave them the desires of their heart, he gave them the king they had chosen: "Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people" (1 Samuel 9:1-2). Even the prophet Samuel was blinded by outward appearances when he subsequently had to anoint the next king. "And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:6-7). Even when Jesus came, the people assumed he came to be a king like the kings of the world. His display of preaching, teaching and especially power moved them to try to force him to be king. Jesus, however, refused: "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone" (John 6:14-15).

A minister, however, with the spirit of entrepreneurship would have accepted the people's desire to make him king (a pastor who is the final authority instead of the Word of God); thereby, ushering in the spirit of Saul (see "The Twelve Principalities of Satan"). "Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness" (Jeremiah 12:10). Of course, if there is a king then there must be people to be ruled, not served, by the king. Peter exhibited this tendency even though Jesus had said: "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve" (Luke 22:25-26). Peter was not comfortable having Jesus serve him, especially in a menial way:

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. (John 13:3-8)

As Christians we must remember that our allegiance is to God first and foremost. In God we trust, not in man, for "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man" (Jeremiah 17:5). After all, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24). "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30). "O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return" (Jeremiah 5:3).

What Does the Lord thy God Require of You?

The Lord is more interested in our loving him than our "serving" him or "sacrificing" for him. "And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good" (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)? "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). To love the Lord is to obey him. To obey him is to obey his Word. To obey his Word, we must know and believe in his Word. "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:2-3). To know his "Words of eternal life" (John 6:68) is to know God and his righteousness (John 17:3): "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). To know his Word is to know not just his written Word but also to have the understanding on how, when and where to apply it. That understanding comes from the Lord as he speaks to us: "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6) and his "sheep hear his voice" (John 10:3). Our righteousness—state of being in order with God through his Word—manifests when we bring our thoughts, speech and actions in line with the Word of God. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17). As such, we "bring forth fruit" and our fruit remains (John 15:16). Oswald Chambers has this to say about those Christians that focus more on serving the Lord than on hearing his voice:

The counterfeit of obedience is a state of mind in which you work up occasions to sacrifice yourself; ardour is mistaken for discernment. It is easier to sacrifice yourself than to fulfil your spiritual destiny, which is stated in Romans 12:1-2. It is a great deal better to fulfil the purpose of God in your life by discerning His will than to perform great acts of self-sacrifice. "To obey is better than sacrifice." Beware of harking back to what you were once when God wants you to be something you have never been. "If any man will do ... he shall know."⁷⁵

Move past just serving the Lord and become his friend: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:14-15). Does the Lord call you friend? Do you know what he is doing? Have you heard his voice today?

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (Hebrews 3:12-15)

Despise Youth

The body of Christ is losing our older teens and especially our young people. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). They often are ostracized due to their age (17 – 25). "Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment" (Job 32:7-9). We have so many examples in biblical history of youth (David, Jeremiah and Stephen to name a few) doing great things. "Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak" (Jeremiah 1:6-7). Worldly tradition, which is alive in the church, however, dictates putting an emphasis on seniority rather than spiritual maturity even though scripture accents this point: "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts" (Psalm 119:99-100). We have to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). Of course, "the way he should go" is to live, move, and have his being in God through his Word. Thus, leaving him a rich inheritance (Proverbs 13:22) in eternal life: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). The church has gotten so off track, there is more focus on training youth to be successful in the world (financial prosperity) than in the Word (spiritual prosperity). "And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15). The future of the body of Christ is in jeopardy; our future leaders are taking their skills to the world or, those that stay, are discouraged and growing bitter. These younger members need guidance, certainly, but they also need an opportunity to grow as spiritual leaders. How many apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers are being developed compared to the number of doctors, engineers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, etc? Local churches and Christian schools, not compromised seminaries and Bible colleges, should be the source for our future ministers of Jesus Christ. The Word of God has to be taught, not how to apply the Word of God: not how to "use" God for your purposes. We need specific and targeted curricula within our local churches and Christian schools to address the spiritual growth needs of this group. Where are the disciples of Christ? The message from God is clear: "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).

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