How to identify good soil?

[Hazelelponi]

Sometimes I think we invest a lot into soil that looks good by human standards—the best educated, the most income, the most well-spoken, the most presentable, the most capable. But Yahweh's idea of good soil might be the exact opposite—the broken, the bad, the ugly, the humble, the poor, the sinner.

"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Luke 5:32)

Literally anyone can become saved, anything from a prostitute or a drug addict to a billionaire. There should be no people group that we ignore, God is not a respector of persons.

 

[Vindicator]

Sometimes I think we invest a lot into soil that looks good by human standards—the best educated, the most income, the most well-spoken, the most presentable, the most capable. But Yahweh's idea of good soil might be the exact opposite—the broken, the bad, the ugly, the humble, the poor, the sinner.

"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Luke 5:32)

I think that's true, but the suggestion from the Parable is that you can't always tell from just looking on the surface. The analogy was of the sower casting seed in every place where it even looked like it might grow, without knowing how deep the soil was or how many weeds might be in it that would choke out the growth. He just cast it in every direction and let time reveal where the good soil was.

I was talking with a Ukrainian man the other day and trying to encourage him that through the hardships his country was experiencing right now that revival might be coming to his country at some point in the future. He didn't seem receptive. In fact, he even seemed a little resentful, the point being that not everyone who is broken will turn to God, and not everyone who is whole will reject Him. You just have to speak the word in obedience and not look at the things that are seen but those that are unseen, trusting Him for the growth.

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

Jesus said, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." (Matthew 7:6)

And,

"But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:8)

Obviously He doesn't want us wasting time and effort on people who are obviously not going to be productive. That's not that we don't love them and pray for them however. But He seems to want us giving our first priority to the good soil where the seed will be productive.

So, my question is: How do you identify good soil?

As God leads us to speak we should speak.

We plant and water and God makes it grow.

Isaiah 55:11
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

The people of Nineveh in the days of Jonah were likened to good soil but not in Jonah's eyes.

Jonah 3:4-5
And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
5So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Jonah was displeased and angry.

Jonah 4:1
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.

What was God's answer to the displeased and angry preacher?

Jonah 4:5-10
So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6And the Lord God prepared a [a]plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah b was very grateful for the plant. 7But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

9Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!”

10But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which [c]came up in a night and perished in a night. 11And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?”

 

[elights]

The biggest problem of our generation is we have been instructed more in the reading and memorizing of the word,praying and attending church services than we actually have to have a personal father-son love relationship with our God,we seem to do these and still fall short of what the Bible says we are,but if we actually did all these things springing from our Love for God,we would easily tell what is precious and vile the same way with God because then we could have the same sight with him,according to how we live now, we can hardly tell the good soil until we sow a seed and wait for the fruits to know whether it was good or bad, but also good growth is also not entirely dependent on only the nature of the soil,even the quality of the seed and how it is sown matters,in Jesus’ time Jews did farming who had full knowledge of it, and obviously would sow choice seed rightly that is why Jesus doesn’t talk about any of those two factors because were common knowledge but it’s surprising that today’s sowers sow poor quality seeds(twisted gospel) and hope for the 30fold,60fold or 100fold!!

 

[Aaron56]

Jesus said, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." (Matthew 7:6)

And,

"But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:8)

Obviously He doesn't want us wasting time and effort on people who are obviously not going to be productive. That's not that we don't love them and pray for them however. But He seems to want us giving our first priority to the good soil where the seed will be productive.

So, my question is: How do you identify good soil?

We should not conflate the verses primarily because the gospel is not ours to decide to "give" or "cast" before anyone: in these matters we are led by the Spirit. The other is that the Lord causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. The light of our witness should do the same without respect for the person's status or connection to us. After all, when is it NOT appropriate to live by the word of God? Mark 4:8 is axiomatic not instructive. Like when Jesus said there will always be wars and rumors of wars: He was stating a fact of existence in the world.

Treasures are the things we have received from the Lord from our walk with Him. Such examples are wisdom, generosity, counsel, etc. The Lord will not give many treasures to the unreliable: so, they must be earned before they can be received and properly stewarded. These are the things we are to not cast to the swine or dogs. It is easy to discern these types of people: they are violent and vulgar toward the things of God; petty and self-seeking in their understanding.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Literally anyone can become saved, anything from a prostitute or a drug addict to a billionaire. There should be no people group that we ignore, God is not a respector of persons.

I agree there are no people or people groups we should ignore, but I believe there are individuals we shouldn't waste precious time on once it becomes clear the soil is no good.

"And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them." Mark 6:11

Jesus told us the rich would be hard cases: "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24

"Did God not choose the poor of the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?" James 2:5

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

Anyone can be saved but some are more likely than others. Imagine a farmer walking around a city street casting his seed all over the sidewalk and the street. That would be a pretty foolish waste of time and seed. The up and out can be saved just as the down and out can; but the up and out are far less likely to see a need because all their trust is in their money. Of course there are exceptions but the exceptions prove the rule.

 

[ResidentAlien]

The biggest problem of our generation is we have been instructed more in the reading and memorizing of the word,praying and attending church services than we actually have to have a personal father-son love relationship with our God,we seem to do these and still fall short of what the Bible says we are,but if we actually did all these things springing from our Love for God,we would easily tell what is precious and vile the same way with God because then we could have the same sight with him,according to how we live now, we can hardly tell the good soil until we sow a seed and wait for the fruits to know whether it was good or bad, but also good growth is also not entirely dependent on only the nature of the soil,even the quality of the seed and how it is sown matters,in Jesus’ time Jews did farming who had full knowledge of it, and obviously would sow choice seed rightly that is why Jesus doesn’t talk about any of those two factors because were common knowledge but it’s surprising that today’s sowers sow poor quality seeds(twisted gospel) and hope for the 30fold,60fold or 100fold!!

A wise farmer tills and prepares the soil. He doesn't cast his seed aimlessly in the hope something will grow.

 

[Webers.Home]

.
According to Matt 13:24-26, good soil is equally supportive of tares as it is
grain.
_

 

[Aaron56]

A wise farmer tills and prepares the soil. He doesn't cast his seed aimlessly in the hope something will grow.

If the soil is the indiscriminate hearts of men (of which men are not accountable), then, just like when God causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust, the seed may fall on different qualities of soil. In this analogy, the quality of the seed is not in question.

The parable is about identifying soil by the end result of the seed. That takes time to see. Often, we may never see the result, good or bad.

Is the apple that falls to the ground and rots out of the site of men lost to God? The sun and the rain that support the crops of the unrighteous?

 

[Magenta]

Sometimes I think we invest a lot into soil that looks good by human standards—the best educated, the most income, the most well-spoken, the most presentable, the most capable. But Yahweh's idea of good soil might be the exact opposite—the broken, the bad, the ugly, the humble, the poor, the sinner.

"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Luke 5:32)

1 Samuel 16:7b - God looks at the heart

 

[ResidentAlien]

.
According to Matt 13:24-26, good soil is equally supportive of tares as it is
grain.
_

Yes, it's possible the enemy can plant tares in good soil. That's why we have to make sure the seeds we sow are also good.

 

[ResidentAlien]

"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." 1 Corinthians 1:26

 

[Webers.Home]

.

we have to make sure the seeds we sow are also good.

And who's to decide which of the Christian sphere's seeds are good and
which are bad? If discerning the good from the bad were as straight forward
as the sum of 2 + 2, then there wouldn't be so much disagreement on
Christianity's internet forums. I'm always hearing about the "clear teachings"
of the Bible but if they were as clear as claimed; then everyone would know
what they are and there'd be no fighting.
_

 

[Vindicator]

Imagine a farmer walking around a city street casting his seed all over the sidewalk and the street. That would be a pretty foolish waste of time and seed. The up and out can be saved just as the down and out can; but the up and out are far less likely to see a need because all their trust is in their money. Of course there are exceptions but the exceptions prove the rule.

God would that all be saved, which is why some even fell on the dirt path, which while not concrete was certainly hard ground and would have appeared completely unsuitable. I think the analogy is that it simply happens when you are preaching the truth. It is inescapable that some will hear things that were not even intended for them when in close proximity to those it is. Good ground can be located close to hard shallow ground, and to attempt to avoid ever sowing on any hard ground could end up resulting in us neglecting some good soil in the process.

I think the forums are a pretty good case in point for this, LoL, but the danger in not following the leading of the Holy Spirit is that a soul who might have produced 30, 60, or 100 fold could be lost because we assumed a certain area was not worth sowing seed in.

 

[Rosemaryx]

In the end, I think the Spirit leads us on when to speak and when to walk away.

Amen...

 

[ResidentAlien]

And who's to decide which of the Christian sphere's seeds are good and
which are bad? If discerning the good from the bad were as straight forward
as the sum of 2 + 2, then there wouldn't be so much disagreement on
Christianity's internet forums. I'm always hearing about the "clear teachings"
of the Bible but if they were as clear as claimed; then everyone would know
what they are and there'd be no fighting.
_

If you're not sure what good seed is you'll probably do well to leave the planting to others.

 

[Polar]

Jesus said, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." (Matthew 7:6)

And,

"But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:8)

Obviously He doesn't want us wasting time and effort on people who are obviously not going to be productive. That's not that we don't love them and pray for them however. But He seems to want us giving our first priority to the good soil where the seed will be productive.

So, my question is: How do you identify good soil?

You are misapplying that verse from Matt. 7. and your mashup with Mark 4 does not work.

Before I would even bother to explain that, where do you get the idea that Jesus has somehow imbued us with the spiritual insight into who we should dismiss? That scripture does not exist and since only God knows the actual heart of a person (it has always surprised me at how people often do not even know their own hearts or decision making apparatus for that matter ~ and yes, I am using the word heart as does the Bible) how has he divulged or divested that power upon the rest of us?

Your conclusions about wasting time on certain people, is actually OUTRAGEOUS. Some people have prayed literally for 30 or 50 years for the salvation of someone and that person actually does come to saving knowledge.

Perhaps your habit of ignoring people who do not agree with you, reveals your own persuasion as to who or who is not, worth spending time on.

 

[Polar]

My thinking is that good soil is whenever people are open to listening and to asking their own questions. I personally wouldn't shrink from a Faith conversation with anyone... However on the flip side being a convert myself I would never ever be "pushy", or engage with people clearly full of hate.

I agree with your post but just want to make a comment on the above.

Some of those people are actually badly hurt by 'religion' and want nothing to do with it. Even in this forum (as I am sure you know) we come across people that are so in love with their own opinions that they become rude and mocking towards anyone who tries to say something different. I could name who and what, but my observation and experience, is that the Holy Spirit will absolutely lead us both to a person and in the conversation.

I have had that experience many times myself and absolutely nowhere in scripture are we told to judge the effect of the Holy Spirit at work. First off and most important, if we are led in that manner, seems to me God knows better than we do and will not lead us for nothing.

 

[elights]

.



And who's to decide which of the Christian sphere's seeds are good and
which are bad? If discerning the good from the bad were as straight forward
as the sum of 2 + 2, then there wouldn't be so much disagreement on
Christianity's internet forums. I'm always hearing about the "clear teachings"
of the Bible but if they were as clear as claimed; then everyone would know
what they are and there'd be no fighting
If the Lord Jesus Christ preached the ‘clear word’ was fought,what makes you think that not fighting about the teaching is the one that makes it a clear teaching?

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Sometimes I think we invest a lot into soil that looks good by human standards—the best educated, the most income, the most well-spoken, the most presentable, the most capable. But Yahweh's idea of good soil might be the exact opposite—the broken, the bad, the ugly, the humble, the poor, the sinner.

"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Luke 5:32)

amen wonderful point what man understands as righteous and what God sees as righteous are extremely far apart only Jesus can teach us the truth

there’s almost a turning of things upside down

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:22-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

a blessing when people reject you because of the gospel and a woe when everyone praises and exalts you. A blessing in hunger, a woe in fullness . Poor are blessed and rich are given a woe

it’s as if the foundation of mans design went off course long long ago when the devil led them astray

“They know not, neither will they understand; They walk on in darkness: All the foundations of the earth are out of course.
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭82:6KJV‬‬

the earth is so corrupt that it’s like this now

“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

when man exalts something as valuable it’s usually something that’s offensive to God love of money an abomination to God but the core desire of most people is wealth and riches

what we think is right and important isn’t in line with God anymore this is why we need to hear and believe the gospel and take it for the truth it is it’s God teaching man what’s real and true and important to him and also To us if we want to live forever

“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:39-40‬ ‭

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭

the things Jesus taught are so important because it is what mankind is designed to be and do. He’s restoring our faith , our heart and nature through hearing his truth and believing and following him to redemption and restoration of what was lost within mankind’s mind and heart in the beginning