I do not know much about gardening. The only plant I have in my home is one that my mom promised “is impossible to kill.” That plant is still alive, but there have been times when I doubted it would survive. While my gardening expertise is severely lacking, I do know one thing: for a seed to thrive after it has been planted, it has to be tended to according to the needs of the plant it will grow into. For many seeds, that includes water and sunlight. Left alone and without proper soil, water, and sunlight, a seed cannot thrive. Much more important than tending to seeds is tending to our hearts, which are in deep need of the hope of Christ and eternal life that He offers. The first step in growing in a relationship with Him is having a receptive heart, ready to hear from Him and to respond to what He says to us in His word. If we have hard hearts, we cannot grow in our relationships with Him.
Jesus warned against having a hard heart as He told a parable in Luke 8. This parable was about a farmer who planted seed “across his field” (verse 4). The seed landed in different types of soil along his field. Some seed “fell on a footpath,” some seed “fell among thorns,” some seed “fell among rocks,” and other seed “fell on fertile soil” (verses 8). As He explained the different locations where the seed fell, Jesus also revealed that the places where the seed landed affected whether it grew. After telling the story, Jesus explained to his disciples what the story meant. The seed, Jesus said, represented “God’s word” (verse 11). The different types of soil where the seed landed represented how people respond to God’s word. Our focus today is on the first place where the seed landed: a footpath, “where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it” (verse 5). This seed did not thrive. As He explained what the footpath represented, Jesus said, “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 being saved” (verse 12). These people, in other words, have hard hearts, refusing to accept what God has to say to them. We were reminded during the weekend message that often their pride keeps them from recognizing their sin and their need for Him. Additionally, we heard that people with hard hearts let the pain and hardships they face in this life push them further from God rather than closer to Him, who brings comfort, peace, and purpose amidst our pain and difficulties. Because of their hard hearts, they will show no evidence of growth. They will not turn to Him for help, forgiveness, hope, and healing.
The apostle Paul warned against hardening our hearts in Ephesians 4. In this passage of Scripture, he entreats us to live differently from the rest of the world. He said, “Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against Him” (verses 17-18). Instead, Paul calls us to live according to life in the Spirit, moving toward God and following Him, reflecting Him in our words and actions (verses 23-24). Instead of hardening our hearts toward God, Paul calls us to turn to Him and to seek to become more and more like Him. After all, only He can bring life and light.
Instead of hardening our hearts toward God, we are invited to turn to Him and seek to become more and more like Him. He loves each one of us so very much. Will we, in turn, love Him and the people He created? Let’s seek to be people tenderhearted toward Him, His word, and all of the people around us.
During the weekend message, we were given a list of questions to ask ourselves. We will reflect on these questions throughout the week. Today, consider this question and reflect on it: Is your love for God and people increasing? A soft heart toward God is one that loves Him and the people He created. As you answer the question about your increasing love for God and others, where is there room for growth? End your time reflecting by asking God to help you grow both in your love for Him and for people.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all.
7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say,
“When he ascended to the heights,
he led a crowd of captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Living as Children of Light
17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
