The Ground of My Heart
Geoffrey Saroea
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of FOCUS magazine.
In Matthew Chapter 13:1-9, Jesus illustrates the parable of the sower. A parable is an illustration with an underlying spiritual meaning. The seed (Word of God) fell on four types of ground: Wayside, Stony, Thorny and Good Ground. What do these grounds represent and how do they apply to my life?
Wayside Ground
Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. (Matt 13:3-4)
The wayside is not ideal ground as there is no soil for the seed to take root. The seed remains on the surface, making it easy for the birds to snatch it away immediately. This type of ground represents people who hear the Word, but do not understand it, nor make any effort to learn and therefore do not receive the Word in their heart. The enemy snatches the Word away from them and there is no fruit in their lives.
Stony Ground
Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. (Matt 13:5-6)
The stony ground has very little layer of soil. Seed sprouts quickly but have no root, which are essential for sustaining the plant, as they provide nourishment and stability. Sun, heat, fall and the plant withers away. This type of soil represents people who instantly receive the word and respond with enthusiasm. However, there is very little soil of patience or discipline. When problems and tribulations come, the enthusiasm wears off, and they quickly give up their passion for Jesus.
Thorny Ground
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. (Matt 13:7)
Here the seed sprouts but the growth is retarded by thorns. Thorns represent the cares of the world, social media, anxiety and distractions of the world. Just as thorns compete for the soil and nutrients, similarly, cares of the world compete with the Word for our time and attention. Such people experience anxiety, worry, confusion and stress in their lives. Sometime wealth creates a false sense of reliance on our own self.
Good Ground
But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matt 13:8)
This ground is rich and soft, carefully tilled and prepared to nurture the seed, enabling it to grow strong and bear much fruit. This represents the life of a believer who hears the word, believes and receives the Word and it bears much fruit in their lives. Such people value their relationship with Jesus and daily strengthen their intimacy with Him through consistent prayer, reading the Word and personal reflection.
Life Application
Just as medicine has to be administered in the body for it to produce a pharmacological effect, similarly the Word must be first sown deep in our spirit to produce fruit. For the Word to take root, it has to be sown in good and fertile ground. By showing the diverse types of ground, Jesus is calling our attention to the condition of our heart! Proverbs 4:23 exhorts us: “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.”
Steps to Develop a Heart with a “Good Ground”
Guard your heart from the cares and distractions of the world. Sometimes it is easy to seek comfort in counterfeit affections, work, substance abuse and busyness of life.
We live in a broken world and go through life’s hurts and disappointments and this brokenness may hinder our relationship with Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if there are any areas of unforgiveness, bitterness or judgement in your heart. The aim is to remove any hurdles that come in the way of our intimacy with Jesus. Regular self-examination of our heart is important.
Keeping the ground of our heart healthy allows us to exhibit more peace and less anxiety and stress. This puts us in a better position to witness Jesus with others, including colleagues and patients.
God’s Word is life and has the power to bring healing and transformation in our lives. In this parable, the sower dispersed seed everywhere, irrespective of the type of ground. God extends His grace to everyone. The condition of the heart does not disqualify anyone from hearing the Word. Jesus loves us and desires intimacy with us and wants us to develop a deeper and meaningful relationship with Him.
Father, thank you for your Word which is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Lord Jesus heal my heart from hurts and disappointments of life and lift off every burden of anxiety and stress, so that your Word may be sown in my heart and not get drowned in the distractions of the world. Holy Spirit give me a heart of patience and trust. Do not let the darkness of this world harden my heart. Fill my heart with your peace and help me to be a witness for your name to those around me. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.