Thorns Hurt

The continuation of “The Parable of the Sower” in this writing is the seed sown among thorns.

First we read about the beaten path.

We then read about the gravel ground.

Now we will read about the thorns….

“Other seeds fell among thorns, so when the seeds sprouted so did the thorns, crowding out the young plants so that they could produce no grain.”
Mark 4:7 [The Passion Translation]

Verse 18 explains, “And the seed sown among thorns represents those who hear the Word, but they allow the cares of this life and the seduction of wealth and the desires of other things crowd out and CHOKE the Word so that it produces nothing.

Thorns hurt.

A thorn is a sharp excrescence on a plant, especially a sharp-point aborted branch; spine; prickle. It is something that wounds, annoys or causes discomfort.

A lot of times we think that things in our lives are okay to have around but that is not actually the case according to the word. It is only a matter of time in which we see that it produces nothing.

What are the cares of this world?

“I need this job.”

“I need this person in my life.”

“I have to pay these bills this way.”

“It’s only one time.”

“God loves me anyway.”

Yes, God does love us–but not the sin. Not the things that take the place of Him. Not the things that rob and steal our growth. That is our reality. Most of those things are hidden and others are not. Habits are hidden and lifestyles are adapted.

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul.
Matthew 16:26 [New International Version]

For even if you were to gain all the wealth and power of this world with everything it could offer you  – at the cost of your own life. What good would that be and what could be more valuable to you than your own soul?
Matthew 16:26 [The Passion Translation]

We have to count the cost in our life. Is it really worth it ALL? What are we giving up for God? Money? Men? Women? Pornographic images? A double life? Addictive behavior? Those things immediate CHOKE the Word–so that if you’re someone that struggles in this area, going to church and hearing that Word Sunday is sown among the thorns of your life.

The one hurting the most is you.

You are the one that has those thoughts in your head during services. You are the one that returns to that life after bible study. For some–You are the one that gave up even attending service so that you can work to pay your bills. You gave up your holiness in exchange for a mate. You can have those things–but the way that God ordains you to have it. There are times to set a better schedule for work. There are relationships that can be right before God. There are practices that can all be secondary if they do not hurt what God is trying to do in your life.

So no matter which way you look at it–the thorns will hurt you. They will hurt you badly. Your spirit will be left wounded. Your soul is left irritated, desolate and robbed of peace. There will be that discomfort because the Holy Spirit living within you is holy–requiring holy things. So we drown out His voice in exchange for the voice of the enemy. We feed our immediate flesh needs instead of the lasting eternal spiritual needs that we have.

My friend, make that exchange. Give up the things that take the place of Him. You know what that is. It is not that anyone has to keep reminding you but that you know that He has shown you this several times. Be the tree that is planted by the rivers of water…not the one among the thorns. Don’t allow the cares and desires of this world to hurt you any longer.

The Genesis Psalms
Psalms of Man and Creation
Dr. Brian Simmons
The Passion Translation (TPT)

Psalm 1….