How Satan Steals the Word

Some seed falls by the wayside and the birds eat it up. The seed is the Word. The soil is the human heart. The heart is the seat of all our corruptions. Therefore, the seed has to take root there in order to regenerate and transform a dead sinner into a new creation. The birds represent the evil one (demons, in particular) who snatch the Word from the hearts of people who do not understand it. Consequently, demons must shadow preachers -- specifically those preachers who actually preach the Word. How else could the snatch the Word from the hearts of those who hear the Word -- a word sown by a sower (preacher)? We may not see them, but they are present in church, waiting to immediately snatch up the Word that has been sown in the hearts of some. The consequence is deadly. They will not believe so as to be saved. How many Christians, how many preachers, actually believe this? In this sermon, I examine the specific ways that demons are likely to snatch the Word out. How does it work? How does it happen? What does it look like?