Bearing Fruit With God’s Word

“Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” — Mark 4:18 - 19 NKJV

God’s Word, like a seed, isn’t only meant for planting but also for bearing fruit in our lives. In other words, hearing God’s Word isn’t only for your edification but your transformation through acting upon it by faith. So when you hear or read Matthew 7:7 (NKJV) that says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”; you should be thinking about placing prayer requests before God, aside from having the knowledge that God wants you to pray specific prayers.

God is wise. He wants the best for us. But there’s something He has told us to do to bear fruit with His Word. That is, apply it just as we heard it. James 1:22 says,

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22 NKJV

Doing God’s Word makes you fruitful in Christ. And to do it excellently, you’ve got to understand and eliminate the hindrances against it.

Now in Mark 4:18-19, Jesus enumerated three things that hinder people from bearing fruit with God’s Word.

The cares of this world.
The deceitfulness of riches.
The desires for other things.

These three things choke God’s powerful Word from a believer. And where there’s a choke, there’s no flow of life. When a gutter gets choked, it doesn’t matter what substance gets poured into it; there’ll be no flow, and it’ll keep on becoming dirty. Note these things.

Everything earthly is temporary, including money, although some are useful. Get divine wisdom, get wealth and other possessions. However, use all of them for God’s glory and not to set your heart on them. See what you have through the lens of God’s Word and as tools to help you fulfil your purpose. If you do this, nothing in this world will become a hindrance to God’s Word in you, no matter how much you’ll get.

You’re a blessing.

Prayer

Oh God, I pray today that You’ll help me to notice what’s preventing me from bearing the maximum fruit from God’s Word; so that by Your wisdom, I’ll eliminate it from my life. Cause life to flow within me to many people, and not to become choked because of the cares of this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 349