One Barrier to Hearing God Speak is Resistance

In review of Luke 8:5 it says, “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed some fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.”

Bottom Line:

If you scatter seed for planting, some will fall on the walkways, where it will get stepped on and easily eaten by birds.

What this means to me:

When spreading seed for planting, the seed that falls on the walkway will get stepped on and easily eaten by birds and other animals. It doesn’t take root.

This can happen in my own life. In order for me to hear God speak, I must first cultivate an open mind. I must learn to be receptive, willing, open, eager and ready.

The number one barrier to hearing God speak is resistance. So many are closed to the possibility that God might speak to them. If you don’t think God can or will speak to you, then He won’t.

Jesus talked about this kind of soil; the footpath soil, in Luke 8:5: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed some fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it” (NLT).

As workers walk down the path between each row of a field, it becomes trampled down. The soil gets compacted and really hard. If seed happens to land on the footpath, there’s no way it will sprout. It will not to take root. It will just sit on the surface until a bird or other animal comes along and eats it.

Jesus goes on to explain in verse 12 that “the seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved.”

There are two characteristics of a walkway or footpath: It’s hardened, and it’s narrow. Minds are much like this. People with closed minds, a hard hearts, and a narrow views of life, won’t even give God a chance. Their minds are made up; they’re unwilling to listen.

The tragedy of a closed mind and a hard heart is that it’s barren. Nothing can grow there. Nothing can live there. Even if a little seed does happen to fall on a closed mind or a hardened heart, it can’t take root. People who have a closed mind are not really living; they just exist. But a bitter life is a wasted life. It just perpetuates the pain!

One way to combat this is to take this advice from James, “Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls” (James 1:21 NLT). The opposite of a closed mind is an open mind. I need to admit to God, “I can’t do it on my own. The ways I’ve tried haven’t worked. So I’m going to listen to you and open my heart and mind to your possibilities. Furthermore God, I believe in you and want to hear from you!”

The term “cultivate” means to prepare and use (usually land) for crops or gardening. When it comes to my mind and being open, I need to prepare my mind and be ready to listen. I need to expect that God will speak and communicate to me that which he wants me to know. I need to have the attitude of applying what he tells me.