Taking Back what the Devil Stole in the Parable of the Sower

Taking Back what the Devil Stole in the Parable of the Sower

November 1

In this article, we'll explore the profound spiritual insights hidden within the Parable of the Sower, as told by Jesus in the book of Matthew 13:3-9. This parable tells the story of a sower who scatters seeds, some of which fall on different types of soil.

Jesus elaborates that as the sower scatters the seeds, some land on the wayside, only to be devoured by birds. In this parable, the birds symbolize the devil, who swiftly snatches away the word of God sown in people's hearts (Matthew 13:19). The significance of this parable is the revelation that the devil can rob us of God's word, much like the birds pilfering the seeds.

Now, let's delve into this concept. Imagine the seeds as the word of God, and the birds as the devil. We've all encountered moments in life when it seems the devil has plundered the word from us. We find ourselves in situations of despair, desperation, and even depression. These times can resemble a spiritual wilderness, a place filled with agony and fear, leaving us to ponder, "Where is God in all of this?"

Herein lies the hope the Parable of the Sower offers. Even when it appears the word of God has been wrested from us, we can rest assured that the word remains eternally vibrant. Just as in the natural world, where birds consume seeds only to later excrete them, these seeds can eventually take root and flourish. Likewise, the word of God, even in the darkest and most desolate places of our lives, stands ready to take root (Matthew 13:23).

Psalm 139:8, penned by King David, affirms this truth: "If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" This verse reminds us that God's presence is not confined to the brightest or darkest of circumstances. Even in the bleakest of moments, you can unearth the word of God, waiting for rediscovery. In the very situation where the devil appeared to snatch the word, it can still be found, much like seeds found after being excreted by birds.

The concept of discovering the word of God amidst despair is not only a source of hope but also a potent reminder of God's omnipresence. Even in the depths of what may feel like hell, you can uncover the seed of God. The story of Jesus (word of God) descending to speak to souls in Hades and leading people away from the darkness underscores this profound truth. There exists no place so dark that God's word cannot penetrate.

In this context, the devil, initially perceived as the thief of the word, can transform into a seed carrier. The very adversary who endeavored to seize the word from you can now bear it within. This transformation, in a sense, makes the devil (the thief) a carrier of a burden removing seed because he stole the word out of us. Remarkably, even the devil can contain the word of God, and this thief when caught has to restore what he took 7 fold (Proverbs 6:30,31). A notion reinforced by James 2:19, which states that even the devils believe and tremble at the word of God.

So, how should we respond when we find ourselves in a spiritual wilderness or entangled in a battle with the devil? The answer lies in emulating David's actions. Just as David used Goliath's own sword to sever the giant's head (1 Samuel 17:51), we can seize the word of God from the devil and wield it against him. The word of God serves as our spiritual weapon, sharper than any two-edged sword, as noted in Hebrews 4:12.

So, then, even in the parts where the devil takes our seed in the Parable of the Sower we can get it back with interest. The word remains vibrant and poised to take root in our lives in a hellish or heavenly state. God's presence transcends the depths of our despair, and the seed of His word can be discovered even in the darkest places. This seed empowers us to overcome adversity and challenges. When you find yourself in a spiritual battle, remember that the word of God is your formidable weapon, allowing you to conquer the adversary, akin to David's use of Goliath's sword.