"Opposition Will Come" Remember, when you first put your faith in Christ, the enemy will be right there to attack you. The very day you make that commitment to Christ, you may start thinking, "Am I really forgiven by God? Has something really happened to me?" Satan will send some very strong temptations your way right after you became a Christian by offering you things that are attractive. He focuses his attacks on those who are young in the faith and those of us who are making a difference in the Kingdom of God. In the story below, Jesus tells of a sower who sowed his seed, and it fell by the roadside, where the birds came and ate it. These are the ones by the wayside where The Word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan immediately comes and takes away The Word that was sown in their hearts. This is why we should pray for new believers. The enemy will be there, trying to rob them of what God has done. Then of course, the devil will attack those who are making a difference in the kingdom, those who are seeking to walk with God and reach others with the Gospel. When believers step up and say, "Use me, Lord. I want my life to make a difference for You," they better brace themselves. The enemy will not take that sitting down. Opposition will come to those who are making a difference in God's Kingdom. The Parable of The Sower Matthew 13:3-9 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear." The Seed Is The Word Of God. The Seed that fell along the path stands for those who hear The Word, but the devil comes and takes the message away from their hearts in order to keep them from believing and being saved. When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. The Seed that fell on rocky ground stands for those that hear The Word and receive it gladly, but they have no roots. They believe only for a while and when the time of testing comes, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of The Word, immediately they fall away. The Seed that feel among thorns stands for those who hear The Word, but the worries and riches and pleasures of this life crowd in and choke The Word and so their fruit never ripens. The Seed that fell in good soil stands for those who hear The Word and understand it. They retain it in a good and obedient heart, persisting until they bear fruit. |
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