Stony & Thorny Ground Hearers — March 24 [Description]Brief and Specific Overview of the Passage:This passage warns that many professed Christians unintentionally partner with Satan by undermining the message of God’s Word—especially through critical or sarcastic attitudes toward preaching, often in front of their children. This weakens reverence for spiritual things and sows seeds of unbelief.It then explores the "stony ground" and "thorny ground" hearers from Jesus’ parable:- Stony-ground hearers quickly accept God’s Word with joy, but without deep spiritual roots. Their religion is superficial, built on emotion or good intentions, not genuine surrender. When trials come, they fall away.- Thorny-ground hearers receive the Word, but let worldly concerns, habits, and sins grow like weeds, choking out spiritual growth.The root problem in both groups is self-dependence, a lack of full surrender, and absence of true transformation. Only those who are completely consecrated to Christ—motivated by love and daily relying on His power—can withstand temptation and grow in grace.Ultimately, real Christianity is total commitment, not part-time belief. Anything less is a dangerous deception. 365D 83

Spirit of Prophecy Reading 365D 83

Christ’s Object Lessons pp.45-50: 365D 83.1

Satan has many helpers. Many who profess to be Christians are aiding the tempter to catch away the seeds of truth from other hearts. Many who listen to the preaching of the word of God make it the subject of criticism at home. They sit in judgment on the sermon as they would on the words of a lecturer or a political speaker. The message that should be regarded as the word of the Lord to them is dwelt upon with trifling or sarcastic comment. The minister’s character, motives, and actions, and the conduct of fellow members of the church, are freely discussed. Severe judgment is pronounced, gossip or slander repeated, and this in the hearing of the unconverted. Often these things are spoken by parents in the hearing of their own children. Thus are destroyed respect for God’s messengers, and reverence for their message. And many are taught to regard lightly God’s word itself. 365D 83.2

This is the religion of Christ. Anything short of it is a deception. No mere theory of truth or profession of discipleship will save any soul. We do not belong to Christ unless we are His wholly. It is by halfheartedness in the Christian life that men become feeble in purpose and changeable in desire. The effort to serve both self and Christ makes one a stony-ground hearer, and he will not endure when the test comes upon him. 365D 83.3

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” 365D 83.4

The gospel seed often falls among thorns and noxious weeds; and if there is not a moral transformation in the human heart, if old habits and practices and the former life of sin are not left behind, if the attributes of Satan are not expelled from the soul, the wheat crop will be choked. The thorns will come to be the crop, and will kill out the wheat. 365D 83.5

Grace can thrive only in the heart that is being constantly prepared for the precious seeds of truth. The thorns of sin will grow in any soil; they need no cultivation; but grace must be carefully cultivated. The briers and thorns are always ready to spring up, and the work of purification must advance continually. If the heart is not kept under the control of God, if the Holy Spirit does not work unceasingly to refine and ennoble the character, the old habits will reveal themselves in the life. Men may profess to believe the gospel; but unless they are sanctified by the gospel their profession is of no avail. If they do not gain the victory over sin, then sin is gaining the victory over them. The thorns that have been cut off but not uprooted grow apace, until the soul is overspread with them. 365D 83.6