Heedless hearers are often incapacitated and fruitless because they give up over any little difficulty or challenge. They are not ready to endure or resist temptation for a moment. They hear the word and rejoice; later, they go back to the world. Jesus gives reasons they are incapable, fruitless and heedless. One, they received with gladness for a time, but later abandoned the faith (Mark 6:20,17,18). King Herod once appreciated John “and heard him gladly,” but lost interest when the latter confronted him with the truth about his unlawful marriage to his brother’s wife.
Like him, some people rejoice when they hear the gospel, but lose interest when they hear teachings against polygamy, idolatry and occultism. Two, they had no thorough conversion and total cleansing from their covetousness. Although Simon the sorcerer had been converted and baptised and was still following Philip everywhere, corruption was still in him. Three, they had no root in personal conviction. They fall away from the faith when their spiritual mentors are not in sight.
Parents, for one, should, therefore, ensure that they do all they can to make their children have personal conviction and be able to stand, even when they are long gone. As we labour for them to prosper in their endeavours, so must we labour for their spiritual stability.
Four, they could not endure persecution. They are too delicate to face persecution. They cannot stand the gossip, insults and assaults of the world. Five, they are encumbered with the cares of this world. Some so-called believers are still concerned about the things of the world like unbelievers, forgetting that our paths are different. We have heaven to gain, but they are on the broad path that leads to destruction. Six, they are blindfolded by the deceitfulness of riches and are occupied with the desire to make wealth at the detriment of their souls. Thus, getting to heaven is not their priority.
Honest hearts are believers who hear the word, receive same and bear much fruit. “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” God wants us to bear much fruits of Christ-like character; bear moral, positive, practical and influential fruits. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
What makes anyone to bear fruit is the condition of the heart. The heart that bears fruit is, one, contrite (Isaiah 57:15). This hears the word and his heart is broken. Two, convicted and converted (Acts 2:37,38,40-42). The word of God brings conviction in their hearts, which leads to confession and their eventual conversion. Three, cleansed and prepared (Psalm 51:10,17; Job 11:13,14). We bear fruit when those things that could have choked the word are cleansed from our hearts.
Four, humble and tender (2 Chronicles 34:27). If our hearts are tender, whenever we hear the word of God, we will endeavour to adjust our lives and pattern it according to God’s. Five, purified, sanctified and circumcised. “And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live” (Deuteronomy 30:6). Six, obedient and free from sin (Romans 6:17,18). An obedient heart trembles at the word of God and receives help to be free from sin. Seven, believing and receptive (1 Thessalonians 2:13). As you receive the totality of the word, it bears abundant fruit in your life and ministry.
• Further reading (King James Version (KJV): Mark 4:10-20,34; 7:17; Matthew 13:36; Mark 7:18; Acts 8:30,31; Luke 24:45,27; Acts 23:28. Mark 4:16-19; Acts 8:13,18-23; 2 Chronicles 24:2,15-18; Galatians 6:12; Luke 21:34-36; Ecclesiastes 5:10,15,16; 1 Timothy 6:9,10; Colossians 3:1,2; 1 John 2:15-17. Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15; John 15:2,4,5,8,16; Colossians 1:10.
