Jesus’ teaching on the four types of ground is fat with revelation. But, we want to look at all three accounts and find out a few things. We need to know who takes away what God wants to give. Why does he do it? How! And how do we resist him?

Job Didn’t Know Who Takes Away

Job asks, “should we not receive evil (Job 2:10)?” In all this Job didn’t sin because Job didn’t know (James 4:17, Acts 17:30, 1 Timothy 1:13).

Should New Testament believers receive evil?

NO! We should resist D’ evil (James 4:7, 2 Corinthians 2:11).

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. – Luk 8:12 KJV

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. – Mar 4:15 KJV

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. – Mat 13:19 KJV

Jesus Knows Who Takes Away

We have three accounts recorded of Jesus Himself telling us who takes away. Jesus explains everything! Thank You, Jesus!

First, we need to see that Jesus had already told this group plainly who comes immediately to take away. So, the other verses that make it sound like God is giving and taking away can be completely cleared up also.

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. – Mar 4:25 KJV

Mark 4:15 and Mark 4:25 are all part of the same teaching/sermon. We will see below why Jesus explained this to those who were in and not to those who were without. Mark 4:11-12 makes perfect sense to me now.

Who Are They?

In Mark 4:11, who are they that it is given? Mark 4:10 tells us that it is they who are about Jesus. Are you about Jesus?

The Thief Comes to Take Away

John records Jesus setting the record straight. It is the thief that comes to take away what Jesus has come to give. Life is what Jesus has for you, and He wants you to have it more abundantly.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. – Jhn 10:10 KJV

Anything that comes to take your life: death, sickness, sin, poverty, etc. Those things do not come from God. That’s right. Sin comes to take your life. Sin comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The wages of sin are? Death!

For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Rom 6:23 KJV

God Gives and Gives and Gives

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? – Rom 8:32 KJV

God really is good. Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17)!

Why Does the Devil Take Away?

Because he wants to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8). Those who are without are just as defenseless as those in the Old Testament (2 Corinthians 4:4). Whether they are lost because they haven’t received salvation or because they aren’t following Jesus, they don’t have authority over the devil (Ephesians 6:11). Or they’re just ignorant of the truth. This is the same reason that the people in the Old Covenant blamed God for all the good and the bad and the ugly. They just didn’t know any better.

How?

The wicked submit themselves to the devil because they are being deceived (Galatians 6:7). The devil does not want us to know who takes away life (Revelation 12:9). So he comes at us disguised as God lovers (2 Corinthians 11:3). Jesus calls them hypocrites.

Hypocrites Defined

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. – Rom 10:3 KJV
But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. – 1Co 14:38 KJV
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: – Eph 4:18 KJV

False Apostles Take Away

Paul warns us of the false apostles.

For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. – 2Co 11:13 KJV
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. – 2Co 11:14 KJV
Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. – 2Co 11:15 KJV

There are some who claim to know God but deny His power (2 Timothy 3:5). Paul tells us to stay away from them. These people are so deceived by the false doctrine of men that they will rip you to shreds for telling them the truth (Galatians 4:16, Matthew 7:6).

I think that is why Jesus taught in parables and only explained to His disciples who really wanted to know the truth. The world and unfortunately too many in the church will kill you for telling the truth that would and should set them free (John 8:32). Jesus told this to the Jews that believed on Him (John 8:31).

Jesus tried to expound to them the Truth (John 8:33-39)! It resulted in them wanting to do what their father does!

But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. – Jhn 8:40 KJV
Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. – Jhn 8:44 KJV
And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not. – Jhn 8:45 KJV

God Knows Who Takes Away!

No worries! If you are like me, you have been a religious hypocrite. God still loves you and me!

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. – Heb 5:2 KJV

Now That We Know

Finally, now that we know who takes away, we can fight!

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: – 1Pe 1:14 KJV
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: – 1Pe 2:15 KJV

How Do We Resist Him?

First, we need to know the true nature and character of God. That He really is good all the time.

The Greatest is Love

Second, we should seek to know how Jesus teaches and why.

How Jesus Teaches

Be the Good Ground

Study the rest of the parable and Jesus’ explanation:

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; – Mar 4:16 KJV
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. – Mar 4:17 KJV
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, – Mar 4:18 KJV
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. – Mar 4:19 KJV
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive [it], and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. – Mar 4:20 KJV

Affliction and persecution come from the devil to get you offended. Jesus tells us to be not offended (John 16:1). This is easier said than done. But, remember we are all practicing.

Seek first God’s kingdom and trust that He will provide all of your needs according to His riches in glory (Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19). Stay away from the thorns.

Abide Among the Wise

Be intentional about being the good ground. Hear the word and do it.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. – Jas 1:22 KJV

Notice, James does not say to make sure others are doing the word! Or make excuses why you can’t or won’t do the word. Again, we are all practicing.

What Are You Sowing?

What you put in is what you will get out.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. – 1Pe 1:23 KJV

We are responsible for what we sow into our hearts and how we protect it (Romans 10:17).

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. – Mar 4:24 KJV

Know Who Takes Away

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. – Mar 4:25 KJV

God has given us His Words to receive abundantly (John 15:7). God is never silent. It is up to us to hear and receive His Words. The enemy is looking for anyone who is not receiving from God so that he can take away even what we have received. LIFE!

Come Alive!