Luke 8:1-15
8: Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Reflection
Jesus’ famous parable describes the various responses to the gospel that people will have as it is proclaimed throughout the world. The sobering truth is that only a portion of those who hear and respond to the gospel will ultimately prove to be disciples of Jesus. The true Christian is the person who holds to the gospel with a fertile heart that bears fruit (Luke 8:15). This does not mean that true disciples are morally perfect or free from the effects of sin; it means that the gospel profoundly impacts the hearts of those who truly receive it. To respond to the gospel truly is to be vulnerable to the Lord as he searches the depths of our hearts (1 Sam. 16:7; Jer. 17:10) and transforms our inner person by the power of his Spirit (Rom. 12:1–2; Eph. 3:16).
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Reflection
God does not send us into battle against Satan without divine assistance. In fact, he dresses us in his own armor. We battle against the Devil’s lies and accusations with the truth of the gospel, fighting to believe that the cross brings us peace (Eph. 6:15), our salvation is secure (v. 17), and the Lord is our righteousness (v. 14). Our posture is almost entirely defensive. We are told to “stand” (vv. 11, 13, 14), knowing that Christ has already won the victory (cf. 1:7–10). Our one offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word (6:17).
We must see that all of this instruction for spiritual battle begins with the reminder to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (v. 10). Victory over evil is not accomplished by our own strength, but only with the spiritual resources provided by our Savior, the One who is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion” (1:21).
Psalm 18:39-42
39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. 41 They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them. 42 I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets.
Thankfully, the daily battle against sin and Satan does not have to be fought in our own futile strength. Prayerfully read through the armor described in Ephesians 6:10–18 and “put on” each piece as you consider the truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and spiritual power found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.