Seek First the Kingdom of God. what is “without natural affection” ?

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VictoryinJesus

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Philippians 2:20-21 says “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. [21] For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Really don’t know how to word the question but at the heart of the gospel is “seek Him”...seek Him First and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

sobering then is the not having any like-minded to send for all seek their own, and not His kingdom First; seeking not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

the proof there in Philippians being: only one to send unto you likeminded who will naturally care for your state.

God turns them over to a reprobate mind in Romans same as Paul urging to deliver them over to satan for the destruction of the flesh that they may live, or delivered over to learn(taught) not to blaspheme. God delivers (hands)them over to a reprobate mind 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

2 Timothy 3:3-7 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
What is “without natural affection” Philippians 2:20-21 “no man likeminded” who will naturally care for your state.
For all seek their own (First)
Not (First)the things which are Jesus Christ’s

Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing SEEK FOR GLORY and honour and immortality, eternal life:


Matthew 6:33 But SEEK YOU FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, SEEK (Him First)THAT YOU MAY EXCEL(in Christ, partakers of the divine nature 2 Peter 1:4-8) ...seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church(His body).

Lamentations 3:21-25 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. [22] It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. [24] The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. [25] The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul THAT SEEKS HIM.
...“no man likeminded” who will naturally care for your state.
For all seek their own (First)
Not the things which are Jesus Christ’s (first) ... “without natural affection” of corrupt minds, reprobate...
 
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quietthinker

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Philippians 2:20-21 says “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. [21] For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Really don’t know how to word the question but at the heart of the gospel is “seek Him”...seek Him First and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

sobering then is the not having any like-minded to send for all seek their own, and not His kingdom First; seeking not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

the proof there in Philippians being: only one to send unto you likeminded who will naturally care for your state.

God turns them over to a reprobate mind in Romans same as Paul urging to deliver them over to satan for the destruction of the flesh that they may live, or delivered over to learn(taught) not to blaspheme. God delivers (hands)them over to a reprobate mind 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

2 Timothy 3:3-7 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
What is “without natural affection” Philippians 2:20-21 “no man likeminded” who will naturally care for your state.
For all seek their own (First)
Not (First)the things which are Jesus Christ’s

Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing SEEK FOR GLORY and honour and immortality, eternal life:


Matthew 6:33 But SEEK YOU FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, SEEK (Him First)THAT YOU MAY EXCEL(in Christ, partakers of the divine nature 2 Peter 1:4-8) ...seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church(His body).

Lamentations 3:21-25 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. [22] It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. [24] The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. [25] The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul THAT SEEKS HIM.
...“no man likeminded” who will naturally care for your state.
For all seek their own (First)
Not the things which are Jesus Christ’s (first) ... “without natural affection” of corrupt minds, reprobate...
If righteousness appeals only to the intellect but not the heart there is a disconnect.
Jesus said 'blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled' I would add, if there is no hungering, if there is no thirsting, how can there be any filling?.....how can there be blessing?
 

Stumpmaster

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Timothy and Epaphroditus
Philippians 19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing. 20 I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs. 21 For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.…
Berean Study Bible ·


Really don’t know how to word the question but at the heart of the gospel is “seek Him”...seek Him First and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

sobering then is the not having any like-minded to send for all seek their own, and not His kingdom First; seeking not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
Hi Victoryin Jesus.
It says a lot about young Timothy, in whom Paul recognised a pastoral gifting. Later we read about Epaphroditus burning out from all the work he took on, including ministering to Paul's needs. Apparently willing workers were scarce and it all fell to him . . . been there, done that, not going back to it!

Philippians 25 But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs. 26 For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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101G

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for all the others look after their own interest, not those of Jesus Christ... could it also be: for all the others seek after their own interest, not those of Jesus Christ? How could this be after their being instructed of Christ to seek Him first?
Good reply, being instructed, is Good, but fully understanding what one has been instructed in is another matter. listen, Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
did you see it? if not here it is... the verse said seek first, it did not say, seek ... "ONLY"... (smile), just seek "FIRST" the KOG. see how full understanding comes, for if we seek first, all the desires of our heart is fulfilled too. "and all these things shall be added unto you." Psalms 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalms 37:5 "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."Psalms 37:6 "And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday."Psalms 37:7 "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

Why wait, and rest in the LORD? that's why we have a helper... THE COMFORTER, he comforts us, he's a helper that helps you do things, at anytime in any ... "SEASON".and if you're not doing anything then he has nothing to help you with. see, if what you set your hands to do you will prosper, never give up why? listen, to the FULL INSTRUCTIONS of the PREACHER in the book of,

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:2 "A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;" Ecclesiastes 3:3 "A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;" Ecclesiastes 3:4 "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;" Ecclesiastes 3:5 "A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;" Ecclesiastes 3:6 "A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;" Ecclesiastes 3:7 "A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;" Ecclesiastes 3:8 "A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." Ecclesiastes 3:9 "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?" Ecclesiastes 3:10 "I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it." Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." Ecclesiastes 3:12 "I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life." Ecclesiastes 3:13 "And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:14 "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. "Ecclesiastes 3:15 "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past."

so everyone has a time, or a season, just be ready, or content in the LORD, and let God make your heart full in the right way.

PICJAG
101G The "Spiritual Saboteur"
 

VictoryinJesus

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Good reply, being instructed, is Good, but fully understanding what one has been instructed in is another matter. listen, Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
did you see it? if not here it is... the verse said seek first, it did not say, seek ... "ONLY"... (smile), just seek "FIRST" the KOG. see how full understanding comes, for if we seek first, all the desires of our heart is fulfilled too. "and all these things shall be added unto you." Psalms 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalms 37:5 "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."Psalms 37:6 "And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday."Psalms 37:7 "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

Why wait, and rest in the LORD? that's why we have a helper... THE COMFORTER, he comforts us, he's a helper that helps you do things, at anytime in any ... "SEASON".and if you're not doing anything then he has nothing to help you with. see, if what you set your hands to do you will prosper, never give up why? listen, to the FULL INSTRUCTIONS of the PREACHER in the book of,

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:2 "A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;" Ecclesiastes 3:3 "A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;" Ecclesiastes 3:4 "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;" Ecclesiastes 3:5 "A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;" Ecclesiastes 3:6 "A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;" Ecclesiastes 3:7 "A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;" Ecclesiastes 3:8 "A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." Ecclesiastes 3:9 "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?" Ecclesiastes 3:10 "I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it." Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." Ecclesiastes 3:12 "I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life." Ecclesiastes 3:13 "And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:14 "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. "Ecclesiastes 3:15 "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past."

so everyone has a time, or a season, just be ready, or content in the LORD, and let God make your heart full in the right way.

PICJAG
101G The "Spiritual Saboteur"

seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and these things shall be added...
Realize we might disagree here but (imo) those things added unto you: 2 Peter 1:5-8 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
in Matthew...Matthew 6:32-33 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Isaiah 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Acts 13:47-48 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. [48] And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Get what you are saying but in focusing there takes center stage overshadowing what things the Father knows you have need of? And what “all these things shall be added unto you” that you have need of ...more than any other things?

Faith
Virtue
knowledge (of our Lord Jesus Christ)
Temperance
Patience
godliness (partakers of the divine nature)
Brotherly kindness
charity
“The Father knows you have need of” so much so that He will allow us to loose or lack or suffer (the uncertainty of riches) of the things of this world that “these things” might abound the more...Faith, Virtue, knowledge (of our Lord Jesus Christ), Temperance, Patience, godliness (partakers of the divine nature), Brotherly kindness, charity
 
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Base12

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Matthew 6:33 But SEEK YOU FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The Kingdom of God is the Microcosm of Life. It is within...

Luke 17:21
"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."


DNA, Cell Biology, Human Anatomy, Atomic Construct, etc.

Most Christians never bother to see these things in the Word of God, and as a consequence, they miss out on a huge Treasure Trove of Revelations.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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Democrats.

well said. Although could also be republicans. Could be us all when there is a trouble in even defining what is natural affection? “working that which is unseemly”?
Romans 1:26-27 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
 
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Base12

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Could be us all when there is a trouble in even defining what is natural affection? “working that which is unseemly”?
In all seriousness, I've always interpreted the phrase 'without natural affection' as being 'beast like'.

They are more in tune with their 'reptilian' brain. They function on a more primitive level and lack empathy.

Jude 1:10
"But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves."
 

JohnDB

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Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

This is a reference to normal familial bonds that exists between parents and children.

It's discussing and trying to explain narcissism to the extent that it rises above all other emotions. And today that is actually rather common.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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In all seriousness, I've always interpreted the phrase 'without natural affection' as being 'beast like'.

See your point. Reminds me of:
Job 39:13,15-16 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? [15] And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. [16] She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;

And: Lamentations 4:3-4 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. [4] The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.

They are more in tune with their 'reptilian' brain. They function on a more primitive level and lack empathy.

at first thought your “reptilian” mind was a bit crazy. Maybe not so crazy though suggesting a mind of viper Isaiah 59:5 They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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In all seriousness, I've always interpreted the phrase 'without natural affection' as being 'beast like'.

They are more in tune with their 'reptilian' brain. They function on a more primitive level and lack empathy.

Jude 1:10
"But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves."

also Romans 1:26-27 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

have to ask how they burn in lust toward one another ...working that unseemly. Men leaving the natural use of a woman burned in lust one toward another. Heard the standard thoughts and opinions on this burning in lust, one toward another. But also I have to ask what is the use of a woman? I’m hoping God use of a woman is more than what is said to be her only use. Only can see this lust toward one another even displayed here on this forum in to be bigger, higher, smarter, more than that of a brother. Burning with this offense and lust to kill, steal, destroy and devour one another. Competition. Authorities. Standing. Rivals. Fights and disruption all out of envy, hatred someone might get something that is ours first. Opposition. Opposing one another as a threat of stealing what? So much so what is a brother? Women burn with this lust too. Jealousy. Envy. So much so that it is difficult to see sisters instead of a threat.

Burning one toward another ...is it only sexual or something deeper and more sinister working that prevents fellowship and ‘to naturally care about your state?’
Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
2 Corinthians 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

 
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farouk

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See your point. Reminds me of:
Job 39:13,15-16 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? [15] And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. [16] She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;

And: Lamentations 4:3-4 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. [4] The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.



at first thought your “reptilian” mind was a bit crazy. Maybe not so crazy though suggesting a mind of viper Isaiah 59:5 They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
Hi @VictoryinJesus ; I'm reminded of a ghastly account of Mrs. Goebbels, wife of the Nazi propaganda chief, who killed her 6 children in 1945 because she could not bear to think of them living in a world without Hitler. ...
 
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VictoryinJesus

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This is from "astorgoi", which refers to not having familial love.

Much love!

thought about you the other night. After posting you had Covid...glad you are here. How are you?
 

Stumpmaster

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for all the others look after their own interest, not those of Jesus Christ... could it also be: for all the others seek after their own interest, not those of Jesus Christ? How could this be after their being instructed of Christ to seek Him first?
Things might start off well with new Christians being really keen to follow Christ and His teachings, but the three Scriptural scenarios given in the Parable of the Sower illustrate the potential for that keenness to fade or cease altogether.
  • The Word of God is snatched away by Satan.
  • The Word of God withers away for lack of nurture.
  • The Word of God is choked by the cares of the world.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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Things might start off well with new Christians being really keen to follow Christ and His teachings, but the three Scriptural scenarios given in the Parable of the Sower illustrate the potential for that keenness to fade or cease altogether.
  • The Word of God is snatched away by Satan.
  • The Word of God withers away for lack of nurture.
  • The Word of God is choked by the cares of the world.

Thank you. Good Post. Although it leaves me with questions of can the Word of God be snatched away by satan? can the Word of God wither for lack of moisture? can the Word of God be choked by the cares of this world? Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
 

101G

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Thank you. Good Post. Although it leaves me with questions of can the Word of God be snatched away by satan? can the Word of God wither for lack of moisture? can the Word of God be choked by the cares of this world? Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
fear not VJ, the word of God prevails. Matthew 16:18 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." and the Lord Jesus don't lie.

the parable of the sower is not only for the lay people but it was for the disciples, also. take in point, if the sower, break up the soil, then there is no seed on top of the soil for the fowls to snatched away by Satan, for the word of God is placed IN one heart... Matthew 13:8 "But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold."

so a good sower clear the land/the hearer of God's word by clearing any obstacle. as with the ground/heart, root uot stumps, do some weeding, exposing false doctrine, with their doctrines. and WATERING, well planted seed for full growth. so the sower must first know how to get the Land ready for sowing. he must first clear, or prepare the Land for planting. one plant, another water, but it's GOD who give the increase.

PICJAG
101G The "Spiritual Saboteur"