Crowded Out

"And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 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." (Luke 8: 14,15)

These words are from the "parable of the sower and the seed." The sower is representative of the one who broadcasts and spreads the teachings of Christ. The seed represents those teachings, or the gospel. The ground or soil represents the heart that receives the seed. In the parable, there are four kinds of hearts or hearers of the words of Jesus.

Some seed "fell among thorns." Here it met with the fate described above. The seed sprang up, but it was soon choked or crowded out by the thorns and the weeds, and so the seed and the fruit it produced, is destroyed.

Jesus elaborates on what kinds of things the thorns symbolize. The thorns represent everything that will crowd out Christ and his word in the lives, hearts, and minds, of those who hear the gospel. He lists the major and common things that draw away the attention of men from God and his word, that distract them from divine service. The word of God is "choked out" by the "cares of this world," and through "the deceitfulness of riches," and with the "pleasures of this life."

It is sad to see people who begin an approach to God, who start to read and meditate upon his word, with seeming good intentions, and yet fail by their becoming distracted and drawn away from it by their choices to pursue other things. Rather than the word choking and crowding out their worldly cares and pursuits, the word of God, the means of salvation, is often the thing that is choked out of the lives of men. It reveals where the heart has its priorities.

Men choose to spend their time and energy in the pursuit of worldly riches and pleasures rather than the pursuit of heavenly riches and spiritual joys. Alas what tragic results such choices bring to men! God's word, in such scenarios, is slighted and made light of, and esteemed of little value. Those who make such choices then live bewildered lives, constantly curious about why they are so spiritually starved and depressed. They are like many of those who followed Jesus around when he was here on earth.

Rather than following him in hopes of obtaining inner joy and peace, by drawing near to God and choosing his offers to fill the void in their lives, they substitute other things, things that will only add to their grief and woe. Many followed him simply for the "loaves and fishes," to fill their bellies with food. Jesus said to them - "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6: 27)

This is because they have not made God their God. It is true of them that "their god is their belly." (Phillipians 3: 19) Rather than serving God, they, as lost souls, "serve divers lusts and pleasures." (Titus 3: 3) How often do such lost and depraved souls choose a worldly novel to read over the bible and word of God! How often do they choose some worldly pleasure over time spent with God and his people!

Friend, how is it with you?