Lord’s Day, Vol. 7 No. 38

The World that Chokes the Word

– Mark 4:19, cf. Matthew 13:22

 Jesus gave insight into how a man’s heart responds to the Word of God through the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-9; 14-20). Jesus likened God’s Word to seeds that a farmer scatters on the ground. Seeds that fell on good ground brought forth fruit in its season—“some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred” (Mark 4:20). The seeds of God’s Word sown either thrive and bear fruit or wither and die without fruit.

Jesus explained that the world, ruled by Satan—the prince of this world, competes to nullify God’s Word in the hearts of the hearers. Some seeds fell by the wayside and were devoured by the birds—there was no opportunity for them to germinate (Mark 4:15). Some fell on stony ground. The seeds grew into young plants but having no depth of root and not being able to withstand the scorching sun, they died. These hearers may have a semblance of spiritual life but when affliction or persecution arises, they choose to reject the Word, having no true faith. The Bible says, “they are offended” (Mark 4:17).

Yet other seeds fell on thorny ground where weeds so deprived the young plants (that grow subsequently) of their nutrients, causing them to die. The verb “choke” means “to crowd out”. The potency of the world to “suffocate” a man’s heart is very real. The present tense of this verb in the original suggests a continual bondage that these thorns impose on the hearers to render them inept to receive the truth.

And these thorns, Jesus told us, are the (1) cares of the world (2) deceitfulness of riches and (3) lust of other things. The repeated use (4 times) of the conjunction “and” in Mark 4:19 emphasizes the constant bombardment of these ungodly pursuits that prevent the hearer from receiving the Word of God and bearing fruit.

The Cares of the World

These are literally the worries, anxieties and distractions of this present life that hold captive the hearts and minds of the hearers to the extent that there is no room for God in their lives; no room to consider, ponder, receive and give priority to things eternal. We see here the weariness from the energy-sapping effect of the cares of the world. They drain the heart of strength so much so that it cannot find true hope and life. To these, Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Our daily struggle as depraved earthlings are often between two states. When we have plenty, we want more. When we are poor, we worry non-stop. Often overwhelmed by temporal concerns, we become as it were, incapacitated, incapable of discerning the weightier matters concerning our souls! In present- day Singapore, children’s education, health concerns, housing issues, cost of living or job promotion prospects can preoccupy the heart of an average Singaporean. His heart is so taken up with these cares that he is incapable of sparing a thought for anything else, which may even be of greater value. These present-day cares seem so innocently legitimate, yet, the preoccupation with them obstructs the entrance of the Gospel into these care-filled hearts.

Jesus gave the antidote to overcome this world’s cares when He advised, “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Luke 12:31). Only a faith that leads to obedience to God will enable a man to allay his fears and anxieties.

 The Deceitfulness of Riches

Jesus described riches as deceitful because they fail to give true and lasting happiness, comfort and security to their pursuers. They promise much but satisfy little. They are deceptive. They do not satisfy the true need of the soul. This idol often blinds the heart, making it insensitive to the Gospel. More often than not, those who possess material prosperity deny the existence of God. They ascribe success to self or factors other than God. Hearts deluded by riches are often full of conceit.

Jesus warned that riches dull the senses and make the heart grow cold towards the things of God. Jesus gave the example of the rich man who pulled down his barns to build bigger barns. This man thought to himself, “…there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:18b-19). God pronounced judgment upon such a man: “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20). Indeed, a man who lays up treasure for himself is not rich towards God (Luke 12:21).

Truly, God, by His Spirit, must open and prepare the heart to be tender towards the entrance of His Word.

The Lusts of Other Things
There are other inordinate, sinful desires that captivate the heart of the unregenerate man, preventing him from receiving the truth. These “lusts” describe the diseased condition of the soul. Luke 8:14 cites these “lusts of other things” to include the “pleasures of this life”. One may have the opportunity to come to church and hear the preaching of God’s Word and be touched or moved by it. However, immediately after the service, he may be ushered to some worldly recreational activities that will cause him to lose his foothold on God’s Word.

The bondage of sin can only be broken when the Spirit of God, by His Word, brings conviction to the heart to repent and turn to Him.

Conclusion
May we plead with God for His mercy upon those whom He has burdened our hearts to reach out to that they may not be choked by the cares of the world!

Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee