Growing a Healthy Testimony by ridding of weeds

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23

18 "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

"A testimony is something you grow," and strong ones "can endure persecution, they can endure being offended. They can endure the imperfections of others, because they are rooted." - John Bytheway

John Bytheway states that weed seeds are similarly transmitted and "omnipresent" and don't need to be intentionally planted in order for them to sprout. Doubts and gospel challenges are everywhere -- people don't need to seek them out for them to present themselves. The trouble with doubts is that when confronted with them, people oftentimes "stop doing the very thing we ought to be doing more," Bytheway said, namely praying and studying the scriptures.

"If you have a dying plant do you stop watering it?" he asked, then explained that the weak plants in our gardens require even more attention and care.

The most important part of growing a healthy testimony is its growing environment, he said. The parable of the sower identifies four kinds of ground that are figurative descriptions of the varying states of the heart, Bytheway said. They are:

1. Hard soil has been trodden down, compacted and hardened and requires "harrowing" to overcome.
2. Shallow soil keeps plants from rooting deeply, and they consequently can be easily uprooted. A person with shallow roots is easily offended.
3. Overgrown soil has too many things growing in it. Weeds include the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, doubts and fears.
4. Good soil brings forth good fruit.

Shockingly many of us that are nurturing and consumed by life are dealing with Overgrown Soil. Though we aren't barren, shallow, or hard heartened; we virtually have to many things growing out of us. Growth requires pruning and nutrition. Therefore if one is constantly nurturing those things that are growing from his/her soil, there is no nutrition left for the person. We must be sure to re-stock ourselves with the necessary foundations that promote growth. This includes prayer, the Word, down-time, the pruning of weeds, and meditation.


Meditation: How good are you at listening especially for the word of God? God is ever ready to speak to each of us and to give us understanding of his word. This parable of Jesus is a warning to those who hear and who preach the word of God. What makes us ineffective and unresponsive to God's word? Preoccupation with other things can distract us from what is truly important and worthwhile. And letting our hearts and minds be consumed with material things can easily weigh us down and draw us away from the treasure that lasts for eternity. God's word can only take root in a receptive heart which is docile and ready to hear what God has to say. One lesson is clear: the harvest is sure. While some seed will fall by the wayside and some fall on shallow ground and never come to maturity, and some be choked to death by the thorns; nonetheless a harvest will come. The seed that falls on good soil, on the heart that is receptive, will reap abundant fruit. Are you teachable and eager to learn God's truth? And do you allow anything to keep you from submitting to God's word with joy and trusting obedience?

"Lord, help me to guard the word you have planted in my heart that no doubt or temptation may keep me from believing and obeying you. May I be fruitful in your service and may I never fear to speak of you to others and to share with them the good news of the gospel."