The Secret of the Four Fields in the Bible’s Parable
“Why do some people go to the same church, but their lives are completely transformed, while others remain the same even after ten years?”
“Why are some people moved to tears by a single verse of Scripture, while others are left feeling nothing?”
When you hear this, you might think, “Isn’t that just a matter of personal preference?” or “It’s because of differing levels of faith.”
However, what I’m going to share today isn’t my personal opinion. It’s the secret of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus himself taught in Matthew 13. I’ll explain it clearly, verse by verse.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand the fundamental reason why your faith life seems stagnant and why your prayers seem unanswered.
More importantly, by understanding this parable today, you’ll be able to accurately diagnose the stage of your faith and gain concrete methods for taking the leap toward fruitful faith.
“No, I go to church every week without fail. I tithe regularly and volunteer diligently, but why doesn’t my life change?”
Exactly! That’s the core question we must address today.
Jesus surprisingly said that even if the same seed is sown, the results can be completely different depending on the condition of the soil. The seed is God’s Word, and the soil is our hearts.
Now, let’s examine the four soils one by one.
First, the roadside soil – “Those who only listen”
Do you know why the roadside soil is a problem? People constantly trample on it, so the ground is hardened. Even if a seed falls, it can’t go into the soil; it just rolls around on the surface.
Matthew 13:19 says, “When someone hears the word of the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart.”
What this means is that we listen to sermons every week, but we just listen with our ears. “Oh, what did the pastor say? I can’t remember.” These are the people who say this.
When you ask them, “What was the sermon about today?” as they leave after the service, they only remember, “Hmm… it was graceful.” They don’t know specifically what was graceful.
Why is this happening?** Their hearts are already so full of worldly things that there’s no room for God’s Word. Even when they come to church on Sunday, their minds are filled with thoughts like tomorrow’s work, the kids’ academy schedules, this month’s credit card bill…
Second, Rocky Ground – “Emotional Believers”
These people are better than those on the sidewalk. At least they hear the word and accept it with a “Wow, that’s good! That’s graceful!”
In Matthew 13:20-21, Jesus said, “Those who received the seed on rocky ground… these are the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy… but when tribulation or persecution arises, they immediately fall away.”
You know those people who go to revival meetings and burst into tears, shouting, “Lord! Lord!” and making a decision? But when you return to your daily routine, it returns to normal in less than three days.
Why is that?** Rocky ground has shallow soil. It may look like there’s dirt on the surface, but dig a little and you’ll find rocks right away. Because the seeds can’t take root deep, they wither and die when the sun comes up.
I know someone who always says, “This time, I’ll really change!” every time they come to church. But when their boss teases them about going to church, they immediately deny it, saying, “Oh, I don’t go to church.”
Because their faith is so shallow, it crumbles easily even at the slightest trial.
Third, the field of thorns – “two-faced believers”
This is the most pitiful case. These people listen well to the word and have established some roots. But…
Matthew 13:22 says, “The worries of this life and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
These are people who live with one foot in the church and one foot in the world.
Even during Sunday service, you might think, “Oh, I have a golf appointment after service today… I wish it would end soon.”
During Wednesday service, you might think, “Oh, I have to go look at real estate at this hour…”
Even as you’re about to go to dawn prayer, you might think, “Oh, I’m tired… God must understand.”
Do you know what thorns are? Thorns suck away all the nutrients. Even when good seeds are trying to grow, thorns block out the sunlight, take away the water, and take away all the nutrients.
What are the thorns in our lives? Money worries, the stress of raising children, the desire for a promotion at work, comparisons with others… These are the things that drain our souls of their nourishment.
Fourth, Good Soil – “True Christians”
Matthew 13:23 “But the one sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He or she bears fruit, yielding, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Do you know what the characteristics of good soil are? It’s hearing + understanding + bearing fruit.
Don’t just hear, but realize it. “Ah, this is the word you’re speaking to me!”
Don’t just realize it, but live it out in your life.
And as a result, you bear fruit.
So, how can we become good soil?
First, plow your heart
Hosea 10:12 says, “Break up your fallow ground.” What is fallow ground? It’s ground that’s hardened from long neglect.
The same goes for our hearts. If they’re hardened with wounds, pride, prejudice, and stereotypes, the word can’t enter.
We must gently plow our hearts with tears of repentance and fervent prayer.
Second, remove the stones
The stones are the unbelief within us. We must remove these stones of doubt: “Is God really there?” “Will He really answer my prayers?”
Third, Pull Out the Thorns
Be clear about your priorities. Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.”
If there’s anything more important than God, it’s a thorn. If you don’t pull it out, you’ll never bear fruit.
In fact, research shows stark differences in spiritual growth even among people who attend the same church.
Some people’s lives are completely transformed in just one year, while others remain the same after 10 or 20 years. This is because of the “condition of the soil.”
I used to be a field of thorns. I went to church, but I couldn’t let go of worldly desires. Then one day, I realized, “Oh, I’m two-timing myself. That’s why I’m not growing spiritually.”
From then on, I completely changed my priorities. God first! And amazingly, my life began to bear fruit. Relationships were restored, peace came to my heart, and my life’s purpose became clear.
Now, ask yourself:
“What kind of field am I on right now?”
- Am I on the path, letting the Word pass me by even when I hear it?
- Am I on rocky ground, reacting only emotionally and giving up easily?
- Am I on thorny ground, burdened by worldly worries and bearing no fruit?
- Or am I on good ground, where I hear the Word, understand it, and put it into practice?
Three things to practice starting today:
- Meditate on the Word for 5 minutes every day – Don’t just read it; read it while asking yourself, “What message does this Word have for me today?”
- Eliminate distractions – Turn off your cell phone during worship services and find a quiet place to meditate on the Word.
- Reset your priorities – Ask yourself every day, “Is this really more important than God?”
Everyone, the seed has already been sown. God’s Word is powerful. The problem isn’t the seed, it’s the field.
At this moment, I bless you to examine the field of your heart and cultivate it into a good field, so that you may become a blessed believer who bears fruit 30, 60, and 100 times over!
