Mat 13:18-23 | PNT | STEP | Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower . In order to understand the parable we must listen to the explanation given in . Christ is the great Sower, and all whom he sends forth to preach are sowers under him. The seed sown is His Word, the Gospel of the Kingdom. The soil is human hearts. Four kinds of human hearts are described: (1) The "wayside" hearer; the light, flippant, indifferent hearer upon whom no impression is produced. (2) The "stony" hearer; the heart that exhibits an evanescent feeling at the appeal of the gospel; but upon whom no permanent impression is made. (3) The "thorny soil"; the heart that takes in the Word, but is so full of worldly cares that these presently gain the mastery. This describes the world-serving hearer. (4) The "good soil"; the good and honest heart; the heart that receives and retains the truth. In such a heart the seed will grow and the new life will be manifest. Three things, then, are needful: (1) A Sower. (2) Good Seed, the pure word of God. (3) A good and "honest" heart. A dishonest man cannot be converted until he casts out his dishonesty. He who cavils at and deceitfully entreats the word of God will not be profited.

Matthew 13:18-23

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. In order to understand the parable we must listen to the explanation given in Mt 13:18-23. Christ is the great Sower, and all whom he sends forth to preach are sowers under him. The seed sown is His Word, the Gospel of the Kingdom. The soil is human hearts. Four kinds of human hearts are described: (1) The "wayside" hearer; the light, flippant, indifferent hearer upon whom no impression is produced. (2) The "stony" hearer; the heart that exhibits an evanescent feeling at the appeal of the gospel; but upon whom no permanent impression is made. (3) The "thorny soil"; the heart that takes in the Word, but is so full of worldly cares that these presently gain the mastery. This describes the world-serving hearer. (4) The "good soil"; the good and honest heart; the heart that receives and retains the truth. In such a heart the seed will grow and the new life will be manifest. Three things, then, are needful: (1) A Sower. (2) Good Seed, the pure word of God. (3) A good and "honest" heart. A dishonest man cannot be converted until he casts out his dishonesty. He who cavils at and deceitfully entreats the word of God will not be profited.