Stony Soil, or Vain Affections

This is the second in a series on the parable of the sower and the seed from Matthew 13. Though it is not seen by many believers as such, self-examination is a positive spiritual exercise. As Christ explains, these parables are sovereignly given to some, and withheld from others. How eternally grateful we should be for ears to hear and eyes to see! The Lord is here speaking to His disciples, telling them that, as preachers of the gospel, these mysteries have been revealed to them that they might declare them in their preaching. Though at one time preaching was held in high regard, this, tragically, cannot be said today. They were to preach everywhere, dispersing the seed. Though the seed sown is the good, and the messenger is good, yet there are diverse effects produced in the hearts of men. Those "by the wayside" hearers are not usually found in number in our churches, but the thorny-ground and stony-ground hearers, found more frequently in church, carry their own condemnation. Though they appear to have life, time proves that they are not genuine.