4 Examples of How Our Value of Scripture Determines Our Belief System

by Barbara Latta 

Why do gardeners take such great care to prepare soil before planting? 

The proper space is chosen for the right amount of sunshine, furrows are plowed, and fertilizer is applied. Weeds are pulled to prevent choking the precious seeds that are soon sown. Germination success is due to the soil the gardener chooses. 

Jesus used this agricultural picture in Mark 4:1-20 to teach us how important it is to prepare our hearts. He told the disciples this example was the key to understanding all His parables. The value placed on the truth of scripture is the determining factor for good growth. 

I have received some great insight regarding this parable from some classes I am taking through Charis Bible College. The instructor, Greg Mohr, shared some parallels into this teaching about valuing biblical insight above all else. 

These 4 examples show us the way we value scripture determines our belief system. Our heart is the ground where belief or unbelief grows. If God's Word isn't accepted as truth, a person goes their own way, and the produce of their lives leads to darkness.

1. The Wayside Ground. This ground is hard packed with no capacity to receive. The seeds can't penetrate the hardened earth; therefore, they can't produce.

This ground represents people who regard other belief systems over the accuracy and truth of biblical teaching.

Traditional sayings that aren't scriptural rule their lives such as "A loving God wouldn't send anyone to hell," or "God helps those who help themselves." The Bible carries no importance to their lives.

This hardened way of thinking is the basis for pro-choice and gay rights attitudes.

They elevate what they think and what is politically correct above all else. When a heart grows this hard, the Bible is seen as a myth with no importance.

2. The Stony Ground. People who depend upon their feelings represent the stony ground. They may seem excited about the Lord at first, but when difficulty arrives and they get offended, they jump ship and take the path of least resistance.

People who leave churches or jobs when something doesn’t go their way use emotions as the barometer of their lives. 

Offenses guide their reactions and according to Luke 17:1 these offenses are the source of betrayal, and false prophets which leads to incorrect religious doctrine and cults. Lawlessness abounds because there is no fear of God.

3. The Thorny Ground. Those who place greater importance on riches, possessions, and positions are like seeds scattered on thorny ground. Those kernels will grow until it costs the vegetation too much, and the people with the thorny ground heart will serve Jesus until the price is too high.  

These folks can quote verses and believe the Bible as long as it doesn’t get in the way of their goals. Instead of trusting the Lord for promotion, they go after success their own way and idolize acclaim from people. 

4. The Good Ground. A good heart values scripture as truth above all else. Opinions, society, traditions, and riches are not the determining factor of their belief system.

Seed sown in the soil of a truth-seeking heart produces a healthy crop, which in turn creates more nuggets of truth to spread among those who are hungry and thirsty for Jesus.  

This parable teaches us the soil is the variable in all these examples, not the seed. The seed for our hearts is God’s Word and it never changes. The result is the value we place on what we hear.  

What do we want the world to experience from our garden?  

Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]-and more will be given to you besides. For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him (Mark 4:24-25 AMP). 

Join the conversation and share your thoughts. 

 

4 Examples of How the Value of Scripture Determines our Belief System (click to tweet) 

The Parable of the Sower teaches us the soil is the variable not the seed. The seed for our hearts is God’s Word and it never changes. The result is the value we place on what we hear. (click to tweet)