The Seed Stealer
If you have ever had success in growing crops from seed, then you know it can be quite a challenge. Even if the seed does sprout up in new life, there is no guarantee it will actually produce fruit. As an amateur gardener, one of the things I look forward to the most is growing in knowledge and skill in harvesting fruits and vegetables from seed. While there are many variables that keep a seed from producing a harvest, one surefire way to prevent anything from growing is to steal the seed before it has a chance to root itself into good soil.
Seed stealers are the farmers worst enemy, because the theft guarantees there will be no harvest. When my husband and I were laying down seed on our lawn to patch some grass, we were mindful to protect our efforts from birds looking for an all-you-can eat buffet. But there is another seed stealer as Christians we all should be on high alert for, and that is against our enemy who constantly tries to steal the very precious words of God from within our hearts.
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it…..
Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. 11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God….
The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. “ Mark 4:3-4,10-11a,14-15 NLT
Jesus warns His followers to be aware of the Seed Stealer, Satan, who loves to take away the Word of God sown into the hearts of man. He’s quick, relentless and efficient in keeping the seeds of truth from ever taking root into our lives. He knows there is a guarantee of no harvest if there is no planted seed. For those who are not in Christ, the seeds he most often seeks to steal are that of the gospel (see Romans 10:17 and 2 Corinthians 4:4), but for those of us who are in Christ, we cannot forget he’s still very active in taking from us what God intends to yield.
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT
If Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life, and the fruit of the Spirit produces in us things like love, joy, peace and self control (see Galatians 5:22-23), how do we protect ourselves from the Seed Stealer? One way is by having a heart of good soil!
“And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Mark 4:20 NLT
Hard and worn down by the constant traffic, the seed on the footpath was exposed and easily stolen. In order to produce roots, a seed needs to be able to penetrate into the ground. Habitual sin, unchecked negative emotions and following the pattern of this world, are a few ways in which our hearts' soil can be turned into a footpath. Humility, daily time spent with the Lord and a quick response to apply what He is speaking are ways to soften the soil of our hearts. Soil that is soft, nutrient-dense and protected, creates ideal conditions for seeds to quickly bury in the ground and lay down some roots.
Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. (Hebrews 3:12-13)
I have experienced and seen seed stealing before, in my life and the life of others. You know God is speaking to you and in the moment you recognize Him and His voice, but quickly after the Bible is closed, or the service is over, or you leave the company of a friend, what once was believed to be the hand of God reaching out to you with truth, suddenly is forgotten or altogether rejected. Dear brother or sister in Christ, don’t let Satan steal any more seeds from your life!
What is the condition of the soil of your heart? Remember, there is a Seed Stealer who wants nothing more than to take from you the seeds of truth God desires to sow into your life. So if faith comes from hearing the Word of God (see Romans 10:17), what seeds of truth is God wanting to harvest in you? How can you soften and nourish the soil of your heart to give His seeds the best possible chance of taking root today?
