Matthew 13:19-23  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.  (20)  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  (21)  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  (22)  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.  (23)  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

The greatest seed is that of God’s Word as we see in the Parable of the Sower. The seed of the gospel falls on a rocky heart when the hearer doesn’t understand it. Then the seed that falls in stony places doesn’t take root firmly or deep enough. The hearer understands what he has heard but because it has not taken root in his heart, he quickly loses interest. The next is when the seed falls amongst the thorns. The hearer understands the gospel and accepts it, but then the cares of this world, the distractions from riches choke everything he understood, and he falls away. Lastly the seed that falls on good ground, a ready heart, hears the gospel, accepts it and understands it, and the person comes to salvation in Jesus Christ. This seed grows in the person’s life, and he bears fruit. There is evidence in his salvation.

What kind of seeds are being sown in life and in the lives of others? Let’s compare our spiritual life as that of a peach tree.

• Adequate sunlight – You cannot bear fruit with the sunlight. Neither can a person bear fruit for God without His Son, Jesus Christ. You must be born again (John 3:3) in order to bear fruit.
• The soil must be well drained. It cannot be hardened mud but good soil. When the heart is hard, it won’t listen or absorb what the Bible teaches.
• Soil needs consistent watering. Just like in our own spiritual life, we need the Bible to water our spiritual heart. Jesus said: (John 7:38)  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
• Pruning and controlling pests – Our spiritual lives are pruned when we recognize sin in our lives and repent from them. Repentance is a change of one’s mind and a determination that we won’t do that sin again. Jesus said: (Joh 15:2-3)  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  (3)  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. What would you consider as the fruit of verse 2?
• Fertilizer – God’s Word is the best fertilizer for our spiritual life. Reading, meditating and applying what we have learned. (Psa 119:11)  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Many a time God brings a verse to my mind in time of need. I may not remember the address but I remember the verse. There is always a Bible verse that applies to every area of life.
• Spreading Your Faith – The Holy Spirit started the Church when the disciples were in the upper room waiting as the Lord had told them to do. (Acts 2:2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Just as the Holy Spirit came to the Church, so are we to spread that wind to the world. When the wind gets a hold of seeds from a dandelion or a maple tree, it carries it to its destination and that seed creates another life. So are we to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those that cross our path.

Having a spiritually healthy “fruit tree” in our lives helps us to plant healthy seeds in those people we come in contact with. If you’re a shy person, hand out tracts. The gospel’s seeds are spread, and the Holy Spirit is in charge of the rest!