Healing For Calloused Hearts Series

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22; NIV)

These are the ones who hear, but never change. They never seem to become more like Christ in character or in life purpose. They display no more of the fruit of the Spirit than before they claimed to be born again, if they are willing to claim it at all. Their hearts are calloused from both faithlessness and unfaithfulness. Faithlessness is the worries of life that demonstrate that we do not or cannot believe that God has it under control. Unfaithfulness is the deceitfulness of wealth that grabs our attention and all our affection, making illegitimate lovers of our money and possessions.

I believe this is the number one cause for calloused hearts in America. We are a rich nation. Our poverty level puts us at upper class status in most nations in the world. I recently visited a church where the pastor did a little research and determined that 70% of the people gave $1000 or less in 2002. Using the Old Testament law of giving 10% of your income as a pattern for what a surrendered heart should give, he said, “Folks, I know we’re making more than $10,000 per year.”

Why doesn’t the church in America give as it should? Some don’t give because of faithlessness; they’re too worried that they won’t have enough. Others don’t give because of unfaithfulness; they have put their money and possessions higher on the priority list than obedience to God. If revival is ever going to sweep across America, it will only occur when we do a lot of pleading for mercy over hearts that are calloused by greed and materialism.

Jesus indicated that there can be healing for calloused hearts. He finished his explanation of the parable with good news.

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." (Matt 13:23; NIV)

There are those who can say, “I hear, I understand, and I thrive.” Jesus had explained that he spoke in parables so that those who hear would know they’ve been blessed. “Blessed are your eyes and ears,” he said. Another time, he turned to Peter and proclaimed, “Blessed are you, Simon, for these things were not revealed to you by men, but by my Father in heaven.”

Have you received the blessing of seeing and hearing? The evidence will be a multiplying harvest. If you have ears to hear, you will be able to grow in the grace and knowledge of God through a continuous revelation of Jesus. Your work of ministry will grow a hundred, sixty, at least 30 times over what was initially sown. When the Holy Spirit comes over you and opens your eyes, he immediately makes you an effective witness. Go and tell what you have seen and heard.

This is why we encourage everyone at TLC to complete the Equipping Track. It is a way to add to your knowledge, for sure, but it is also a way to prepare you and release you as a multiplying leader of TLC Groups. We view everyone as a potentially fruitful leader of TLC Groups and I submit this message from Jesus as proof of what he can do through you.