As Jesus continued to unfold the Parable of the Sower to his hearers, he described a soil type which allowed growth, but was congested with weeds and thorns. Jesus stated, “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain” (Mk 4:7).

Due to their evasive nature, it’s common practice in farming to immediately spot and completely remove any weeds or thorns which may be growing alongside a crop. Weeds and thorns completely drain and choke vital nutrients and block sunlight from a plant, as they harmfully crowd and overwhelm it. Although the plant continues to grow in size, it inevitably becomes unfruitful due to being depleted by the weeds and thorns.

When unpacking this aspect of the parable to his disciples, Jesus explained how some people, “like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Mk 4:18-19). Just as weeds and thorns compete with the life of the seed, there are things that compete, drain, and choke our spiritual vitality.

Distracted by the cares of this world – Cares can be described as an anxious, unending attention, and worry about the things that concern this present world with a dire neglect for the world to come. Like a person’s thinking which is pulled in different directions, being occupied with many concerns, desires, and pleasures can make us lack focus to the areas that matter most. Although there are many cares of this world that are legitimate, even those can potentially choke our spiritual life.

When your primary regard, interest, and time is focused solely on earthly matters, to the point that God becomes a secondary concern, then this is a clear indication that you have a thorn growing at your side. Matthew 6:33 makes this reality even clearer as Jesus urges us to, “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” God cares about the things you care about, but he wants your primary attention to be on him, because he actively cares for you.

The Deception of riches – Deception involves concealing, distorting, and misrepresenting the truth. Perilously, money always makes guarantees it cannot fulfill. It overpromises and underdelivers by “signing checks it cannot cash.” Money’s deceit is that it can provide such things as joy, freedom, prestige, and security. Money is not inherently bad, but many are familiar with the passage that states, “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10).

When you exchange trust in God for trust in money, you have a problem. Money can become a false god. It looks for your attention, affection, and allegiance. This causes many to look to money, as not only a source, but also a god. Jesus warns, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Mt 6:24).

The Desire for other things – Desire is the longing and passion for things. We all have it, but many of us only direct it to the temporal things of this world and to the endless pursuit of pleasure. The ability to desire and long for things comes from God, but with the expectation that it will used in its original intent. We are to desire God.

The Psalmist states, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek” (Ps 27:4), revealing how our desires ultimately become our pursuits. Until we give our desires over to God, we will remain misguided in fruitless pursuits. It’s only in desiring and seeking God that we will find true fulfillment to those very things we longed for elsewhere.

Historically renowned preacher and author Charles Spurgeon stated, “A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart. He must be loved first and best.”

Take some time to examine your heart today and begin to remove the thorns and weeds that may be choking your fruitfulness. Whether they are cares you haven’t relinquished to God, riches you have been deceived in trusting in, or pleasures and desires that you haven’t surrendered to the Holy Spirit; if you don’t address them, you might still grow, but your ability to truly flourish will be hindered.