The route of popular opinion is a dangerous road to travel. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean it’s right.
Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (NIV)
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (NKJ)
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise. (NKJ)
Jeremiah 31:21 Set up the roadmarks, establish the signposts. Keep the highway in mind, the road you have traveled. (Berean)
What grows on a freeway? What do you see the most on well-traveled roads? Waste, trash, and road-kill. It’s not a place that allows seed to grow.
Some seeds are planted in rows like corn. Other seeds are scattered like wheat.
Luke 8:5-8 Jesus said, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (NKJ)
What do you find on a roadside? Rocks, then burnt grass, and next thorns. You have to get off of the beaten path to experience good ground. The hundred-fold increase.
Matthew 13:19-23 Jesus said, “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, (Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17) and does not understand it (put facts together; to arrive at a summary or final understanding complete with life-applications), then the wicked one comes (The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. John 10:10) and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself (spoken of one who has but a superficial experience of divine truth, has not permitted it to make its way into the inmost recesses of his soul), but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises (Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16.33) because of the word (because the Word is what the devil is trying to steal), immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (By definition, all decisions that are not born “of faith are sin” (Ro 14:23) – which automatically renders them an eternal waste. This is the case regardless of how impressive or acceptable they are in the eyes of the world.) 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it (keeps it Luke 8:15), who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
According to Jesus’ own parable, only 1/3 of those who receive God’s Word produce fruit. And out of that third, only 1/3 of Christians experience 100 % victory. Why? Because of their heart. Your harvest depends totally upon your understanding and application of God’s word.
Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. (NKJ)
The proverbial path we all walk is not so much of a road but a direction of our heart. What have you allowed to be planted in your heart? The world has nothing of any eternal value to add to your life; only hindrances.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (NKJ)
The real question is not how much you are in the world, but how much of the world’s thinking have you allowed into your heart?
2 Corinthians 6:14-16a Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God.
Is your heart traveling on the same path as the rest of the world? Or are you standing upon His Promises?
