What Type of Soil Are You?

Wednesday, January 28th, 2026

9:45 am

Good morning! Today I am in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15. Jesus left the house that He was teaching in and went and sat beside a lake. A large crowd followed Him, so He got in a boat, and taught the people from there. He told them about a parable of a farmer sowing seeds. As he was scattering the seed in the field some of the seed fell on a footpath were the birds came and ate it, and the seed was stepped on. Some of the seed fell in shallow soil with rock under it, and the seeds sprouted but because the roots did not go deep, they died. Some of the seed fell among thorns, but the thorns choked out the plants that sprouted. But some of the seed landed on good, fertile soil, sprouting and producing different size crops. Jesus' disciples asked Him why He taught in parables. He told them that it fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that said, "When they see,they will learn nothing, when they hear they will not understand (Isaiah 6:9-10)." Telling them that they are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen, more understanding would be given, but to those who do not listen, even what little understanding they have will be taken away. Then He goes on and explains the parable to them. He tells them that the farmer is the one that goes out and tells others about the Good News of Jesus and the seed is God's Word. The seed that fell on the footpath represent those who hear God's Word but don't understand it so the enemy comes and takes it away. The seed that fell in the rocky soil represents those who receive God's Words with joy but fall away when temptation comes because they don't have deep roots. The seed that fell in the thorns represent those who hear God's Word, but quickly the message gets crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's Words, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

As followers of God, we are the farmers. We are to go out and share the Good News with anyone who will listen. Not allowing the enemy to discourage us when we don't see the fruit in the people's lives. It is not up to us what the people do with God's Word, but it is up to us to share it. We also represent the soil that God's Word gets planted in. When we hear God's Word, what do we do with it? What we do with it shows what type of soil we are. If we hear God's Word, and do what He tells us, we are the good soil.

What type of soil are you? If you are the good soil, at some point you will start producing a harvest of good fruit, as well as, being the farmer yourself. You will know what type of soil you are by your actions. If you are good soil, God will be able to use you to bless others. If you don't feel like you are the good soil, God can soften your heart, but you must seek Him sincerely, with your whole heart. You must want God in your life. When you do, God will reveal His Word to you and you will be able to understand. God wants us to understand because He wants to be able to use you to help others, to bless others. When we do, we are able to point others to Him, and help them understand Him as well. Allow God to soften your heart so He can bless you and others today.