And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:14-15

Recently, during a discussion with some of my friends from church about the parable of the 4 soils, I realized that far too often I am more characteristically like the third soil than the fourth soil. Oh, I believe the Spirit of God has regenerated my spirit and Jesus has saved me, but I also know that many times when I am richly impacted by the teaching of the Word I may think about it for a few days but gradually over the next weeks it leaks out and that deep impression wanes. My job, my family, my house, my… whatever, subtly crowds it out. Sounds a lot like soil three.

My guess is there are those of you out there that can identify with what I am saying.

I have heard many teachings on the four soils with various interpretations but most often only the fourth soil was representative of the heart of the true believer. But as we sat and chatted a few weeks ago, I clearly saw myself in the third soil. Not all the time, but far too often.

What really brought the conviction was reading verse 15: As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Just the first part of the verse, “they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast…” Do you hold fast the Word you read in the morning or hear preached on Sunday? Do you treasure it and guard it as you do that which has great value to you? Do you refuse to let it leak out and dissipate as a vapor?

“Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.” Proverbs 4:4-5

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Think about that for a moment. The first step of living characteristically as the fourth soil is having heard the Word to hold fast to the Word.

HOLD FAST to the Word, the very Word of God.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years. She has 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.