Introduction.
The Bible tells us that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. In other words, as we receive, we should give. However, many Christians don’t think like that when it comes to the Bible. When we think of reading and studying the Word, we think of instruction, spiritual growth, healing, salvation and the list goes on and on. And that’s all good and true. In this Blog, we’ll review how essential it is for us to pour understanding and revelation of the Scriptures into others as God pours into us. This is a big part of fruitbearing.
The Word Has Been Sown. What’s Our Response?
Luke 8:11 to 15 and 17 to 18 talks about the Parable of the Sower. It talks about the seed and its fate, based on where the seed lands and how the seed is sown. See the Bible verses below.
11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:11 to 15
17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.
18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” Luke 17 to 18 NKJV Bold and underline added for emphasis.
In the verses above, Jesus explains the parable He gave to the crowd as He taught using the Parable of the Sower.
Quick Highlights from Luke 8:11 to 15 and 17 to 18:
1. The Seed is the Word of God.
2. Wayside Seed: No need to dig deeply to pull it up because wayside seed is open to the birds <the enemy>, the elements and can be trampled upon.
3. Seeds on the Rock: Receive the Word with joy, but have no root. Believe temporarily so when times of challenge come, they fall away.
4. Sown on Thorns: They hear it, but the cares of this world choke the Word so no fruit is produced.
5. Seeds on Good Ground: They listen with a noble and honest spirit. They produce fruit with patience.
6. Listen with the Intent to Obey: Jesus sums up His explanation to the disciples by warning them to take heed how they hear. When we truly receive the Word, more will be given to us. Remember the man who gave out the talents in Matthew 25:14 to 30. To one he gave 5, to another he gave 2 and the last one got 1 talent. The ones who multiplied their talents received more. But the one who hid the 1 talent had his taken away.
Moral of the story: when God gives us something to steward, a revelatory word, understanding of a Scripture and also gifts of the Spirit, it is our responsibility to multiply it by producing fruit.
We Give Out What We Receive from the Word.
When we genuinely receive revelation and understanding from the Scriptures, we bear fruit from the seed that was sown into the good ground of our hearts. If it’s real Scriptural insight, fruit will be visible when it’s sown into good ground.
The mature Believer will share the knowledge and wisdom he received from the Word. He won’t hide that revelation from others. He’ll find a way to get that word into others, thereby producing fruit.
If a Christian never shares a testimony of God’s goodness, a rhema word from God or insight into the Scriptures that God has entrusted to him, he has a right to question His connection with Jesus Christ. A tree is known by its fruit.
Nature’s Example of an Outward Flow.
In John, the 7th Chapter, the Word talks about the living waters flowing from our bellies. Let’s look at the verse below.
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 KJV
In the Bible verse above, the living waters denote the life giving force of the Holy Spirit. One of the beautiful things about living water from a river or creek is that there’s an ebb and flow to the water. It takes in water when it rains, but it also gives out water. People get water from the brook, stream, etc. for drinking, cooking, washing clothes and so much more.
God places the Holy Spirit within us so that we can give out of the overflow. It is essential that we get and continually be filled with the Spirit in order to operate in the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 12:8 to 10 and Galatians 5:22 to 23. This begs the question, what good is revelation if I keep it to myself? The answer is, it’s not much good at all.
When we receive revelation from the Word through Bible Teachers, College Professors, and the Holy Spirit, as examples, our job is to spread the truth from them with others. This is how we bear fruit. Freely we have received, freely give. Matthew 10:7, 8.
Summary.
I wanted to use this space to emphasize the importance of sharing revelation and insight from the Bible. As we receive knowledge, wisdom, an increase in the gifts, it is imperative to our continued spiritual growth that we share that understanding with others so they too can grow thereby.
Attributions:
Photo Image used for as the Cover for this Blog: Photo by Nicholas Mageras from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/abundance-of-fruit-at-bazaar-17885434/
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