4 Kinds of Hearts

In Luke 8:11-15 we see four kinds of hearts into which the seed is sown. The first kind of heart is likened to the soil "beside the road" (v. 5). Concerning this, the Lord says in verse 12, "Those beside the road are those who heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved." The earth beside the road is the earth on the wayside. This earth has been hardened by a great deal of traffic. As a result, wheat cannot grow in that kind of soil.
A heart that is like the wayside, like the soil beside the road, is a heart in which there is too much traffic of worldly business. If our heart is occupied with making a living, there will be too much traffic in our heart. The result will be that our heart will not be the proper soil for the growing of Christ, for it will be a heart hardened by worldly traffic.
A second kind of heart is likened to rocky ground (8:6,13). This kind of ground has soil on the surface, but underneath it is full of rocks. It is not possible for Christ to
grow in this kind of heart. A person with such a heart may receive Christ and be saved; however, it will be difficult for him to grow in life. Because of the rocks, it is difficult for Christ to grow in the heart signified by the rocky ground.
Matthew 13:5 describes this kind of heart as rocky places, which do not have much earth. This signifies the heart that is shallow in receiving the Lord's word. Such a heart is shallow because deep within are "rocks"--hidden sins, personal desires, self-seeking, and self-pity--which frustrate the seed from gaining root in the depths of the heart.
Luke 8:7 says. "And other seed fell in the midst of the thorns, and the thorns sprouted up with it and choked it." Concerning this, verse 14 explains: "And that which fell into the thorns, these are those who heard, and they are choked by the on going anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and do not bring any fruit to maturity." Here we see clearly that the "thorns" signify anxieties riches (in particular, the deceitfulness of riches--Matt. 13:22), and the pleasures of life. These things choke the word and prevent it from growing in the heart and becoming fruitful.
The fourth kind of heart is that signified by the good earth: "And other seed fell into the good earth, and having sprouted up, it produced fruit a hundredfold" (v. 8). In verse 15 the Lord explains, "But that in the good earth, these are those who in a noble and good heart hear the word. and hold it fast, and bear fruit with endurance." This good earth signifies the good heart, a heart that is not hardened by worldly traffic, that does not have hidden sins. and that is without the anxiety of the age, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of life. Such a heart gives all the ground to receiving the word so that the word may grow, bear fruit, and produce even a hundredfold.
A heart without worldly traffic, rocks, and thorns is a purified heart. This kind of heart is good for growing Christ. After we have been forgiven and have begun to live a life in peace, we should follow the Lord and minister to Him.