We Need to Deal with Our Hearts

Then according to Luke 8:4-15, we need to deal with our hearts.
In dealing with our hearts, we should keep our hearts away from worldly traffic. This means that our hearts should not be occupied with the business of making a
living. Instead, we should live a simple life. However, many are slaves to earning a living. The more they increase their living expenses, the more they need to labor.
The more they uplift their standard of living, the more they need to work. Some even work two jobs in order to maintain a high standard of living. We, on the contrary, should simplify our living. If we simplify our life, our hearts will be kept away from worldly traffic.
We also need to deal with all the rocks, the obstacles hidden within us. These hidden things may include hidden sins or hidden desires. As an example of a hidden desire, we may mention the desire common among young people
to have a good car. The desire for a certain kind of new car may become a "rock" in our hearts, a rock that makes it difficult for Christ to grow within us.
In addition to dealing with worldly traffic and the hidden rocks, we also need to deal with the "thorns" of anxieties, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of
life. Some, after graduating from college, worry about getting married or about saving money to buy a house.
Parents may worry about taking care of their children. These anxieties are related to the cares of this life. If our hearts are filled with anxieties, how can Christ grow in us?
In order for Him to grow within us, our hearts need to be free from anxiety, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of life.
The sequence in 7:36--8:15 shows that after we have been forgiven, we live a life of peace. As we follow the Lord and minister to Him, we need to grow in life. For the growth in life we need to have a good heart for the Lord to grow within us. A good heart is a heart that is kept away from the worldly traffic, that has all rocks cleared away, and that does not have the thorns of anxiety, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of life.