SOME SEED FELL BY THE WAYSIDE

"A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them" (Matthew 13:3, 4, NKJV).

The parable of the sower chiefly deals with the effect produced on the growth of the seed by the soil into which it is cast. Explaining the seed that fell by the wayside, He said, "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside" (Matthew 4:19).

"The seed sown by the wayside represents the word of God as it falls on the heart of an inattentive hearer. Like the hard-beaten path, trodden down by the feet of men and beasts, is the heart that becomes a highway for the world's traffic, its pleasures and sins. Absorbed in selfish aims and sinful indulgences, the soul is 'hardened through the deceitfulness of sin' (Hebrews 3:13). The spiritual faculties are paralyzed. Men hear the word, but understand it not. They do not discern that it applies to themselves. They do not realize their need or their danger. They do not perceive the love of Christ, and they pass by the message of His grace as something that does not concern them.

"As the birds are ready to catch up the seed from the wayside, so Satan is ready to catch away the seeds of divine truth from the soul. He fears that the word of God may awaken the careless, and take effect upon the hardened heart... With an earnestness equaled only by his malice, he tries to thwart the work of the Spirit of God. While Christ is drawing the soul by His love, Satan tries to turn away the attention of the one who is moved to seek the Saviour. He engages the mind with worldly schemes...

"Many who profess to be Christians are aiding the tempter to catch away the seeds of truth from other hearts. Many who listen to the preaching of the word of God make it the subject of criticism at home. They sit in judgment on the sermon as they would on the words of a lecturer or a political speaker. The message that should be regarded as the word of the Lord to them is dwelt on with trifling or sarcastic comment... And many are taught to regard lightly God's word itself.

"Thus in the homes of professed Christians many youth are educated to be infidels... The good seed finds no place to take root, and Satan catches it away."--Christ's Object Lessons, pp., 44-46.