How to identify good soil?

[Rosemaryx]

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.

I agree...
I have unsaved adult children , and I believe through prayer , that although I may not see the seeds grow that I have planted in their hearts , I do believe God when He says that His word will not come back void...
I may not see these seeds growing while I am on earth , for they could be watered and grown by God , long after I have gone home to be with our Lord...I will never tire praying for them , even though sometimes I feel week , because I cannot see the seed growing , but I am remember , that is Gods job and not mine...
...xox...

 

[Nehemiah6]

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.

Farmers would do no such foolish thing. However for city dwellers the streets are indeed the soil. In the parable the sower did not pick and choose the soil, He simply scattered the seed far and wide. And that is exactly what Christians are commanded to do. Not do a "soil analysis" first.

 

[SanderB]

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?

To identify good soil, you must measure ground pH (acidity), nutrient content and the water content & compare it with ideal published numerical values.

In all seriousness, to identify good soil, one must trust in God, and their gut feeling. If it feels that someone is a bad influence, stay away from them. Sometimes, it can be too late, or difficult to recognize someone's actions/intentions until it is too late. Be careful, and if something feels wrong, stay away. If possible, try and help the person(s) out of a situation which causes them to be a bad influence in the first place.

God Bless,

- Alexander

 

[Magenta]

To identify good soil, you must measure ground pH (acidity), nutrient content and the water content & compare it with ideal published numerical values.

In all seriousness, to identify good soil, one must trust in God, and their gut feeling. If it feels that someone is a bad influence, stay away from them. Sometimes, it can be too late, or difficult to recognize someone's actions/intentions until it is too late. Be careful, and if something feels wrong, stay away. If possible, try and help the person(s) out of a situation which causes them to be a bad influence in the first place.

God Bless,

- Alexander

Welcome!

 

[arthurfleminger]

Before you understand this parable you must first understand that the soil represents the hearts and sould of people, while the seed represents Jesus and His word to us, the gift of faith.

The explanation of the parable is this: the seed refers to the Word of God, and the soil refers to the heart of the people. When the Word of God was preached or taught. And, in response to your question, you can only recognize the soil types over a period of time, during a person's life. And you will only find the good soil by recognizing the person/soil who produces the good fruit of the Lord.

The Word of God fell on the heart that didn't have any soil, on a path, so Satan, which referred to as the bird, came and took the Word of God away. You can tell this soil/people by their lack of interest in the things of God, these are your worldly/secular/atheists. Faith and God's word is not for them.

Similarly, the hearts referred to the rocky ground with little soil. These are your lukewarm people/soil, people who live for the day. The Word of God was received instantly, but since it did not have many roots, it immediately fell away because of hardship or persecution in life.

The seed that fell on the soil with many thorns. These are the people/soil that received the Word of God, but the deceitfulness of riches and other things of this world choked the Word of God, and it became unfruitful.

Finally, the seed fell on the good soil, which referred to the hearts that received the Word of God, and since the hearts were good, the Word of God grew and multiplied.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Farmers would do no such foolish thing. However for city dwellers the streets are indeed the soil. In the parable the sower did not pick and choose the soil, He simply scattered the seed far and wide. And that is exactly what Christians are commanded to do. Not do a "soil analysis" first.

right if the seed bears healthy plants and good fruit you have good soil. If it produces thorns and briars or nothing the soil isnt viable

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Before you understand this parable you must first understand that the soil represents the hearts and sould of people, while the seed represents Jesus and His word to us, the gift of faith.

The explanation of the parable is this: the seed refers to the Word of God, and the soil refers to the heart of the people. When the Word of God was preached or taught. And, in response to your question, you can only recognize the soil types over a period of time, during a person's life. And you will only find the good soil by recognizing the person/soil who produces the good fruit of the Lord.

The Word of God fell on the heart that didn't have any soil, on a path, so Satan, which referred to as the bird, came and took the Word of God away. You can tell this soil/people by their lack of interest in the things of God, these are your worldly/secular/atheists. Faith and God's word is not for them.

Similarly, the hearts referred to the rocky ground with little soil. These are your lukewarm people/soil, people who live for the day. The Word of God was received instantly, but since it did not have many roots, it immediately fell away because of hardship or persecution in life.

The seed that fell on the soil with many thorns. These are the people/soil that received the Word of God, but the deceitfulness of riches and other things of this world choked the Word of God, and it became unfruitful.

Finally, the seed fell on the good soil, which referred to the hearts that received the Word of God, and since the hearts were good, the Word of God grew and multiplied.

amen I find it interesting that Satan tries to take the word that is planted away first , after that it’s the persons response to the word that is the issue , then finally The temptations and lusts of the world

“And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

…And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:16

all of its intended to steal the gospel from hearts of believers and the good soil is identified by hearing first and receiving the word and then become fruitful in following after what they have learned

the fruits are the good works prepared for us by Jesus in the gospel brotherly kindness , mercy towards others , acting in deed and truth and not only saying the words , simply treating other people as if you actually care about them like brothers and sisters

doing the things Jesus would do and taught us to do in the earth affecting for the good other people and tbier situations to the glory of his name we bear while in this earth

 

[SteveEpperson]

I'm not trying to make light of these scriptural references or be flippant in any way, but I think we have to be careful not to compare our "fruit tally" with others.

We are often told to not hang out with "non-Christians." While that seems logical, we have to be careful when judging others for not being Christians, especially if they profess their faith in Christ. This is especially true for married couples.

There is absolutely no justification for a wife to leave her husband just because she thinks he is walking on "rocky soil."

 

[ResidentAlien]

I'm not trying to make light of these scriptural references or be flippant in any way, but I think we have to be careful not to compare our "fruit tally" with others.

We are often told to not hang out with "non-Christians." While that seems logical, we have to be careful when judging others for not being Christians, especially if they profess their faith in Christ. This is especially true for married couples.

There is absolutely no justification for a wife to leave her husband just because she thinks he is walking on "rocky soil."

I don't know who you're referring to but I never said anything like this. I'm talking about planting the word in the unsaved.