Discuss Mark 4 Page 5

The heroes of faith in the Old Testament learned that it was the LORD that won the battle every time. Their part in any victory was to simply believe and do as he commanded them.

In Matthew chapter 4, Jesus withstood the devil's temptations by using scripture. The better we know the Word of God, the greater our ability to stand against the assaults of the tempter.

In John chapter 15 we learn that unless we abide in Jesus Christ, we can do nothing. We wither as a dried branch off the vine.

In Ephesians 6, we are instructed in the proper use of the armour of God and told that our warfare is in the spiritual realm, not against flesh and blood.

1 Peter 5:8-11 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 John chapter 2 gives us some great instruction on the battles we face with our own nature and the ways of this world.

1 John 5:4-5"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

How do we use the weapon Jesus have giving us to fight with.

(Continuing comment). So if he was 'deceived' by all this, then the whole Gospel account is false, i.e. Christ didn't die for our sins, didn't arise, didn't ascend, didn't send us His Spirit & He isn't at God's RH interceding for us. All false teaching based on NOT Paul's deception/perception, but on Satan's lies & deception to the world to keep them in darkness & hid from the Truth. Please also read 1 Jn 5, partic. noting v13: we may be certain of eternal life.

To Javier. I respond to your post & not to the original, which is too old. To first clarify: 1 Cor 15:30,31 shows Paul speaking of his (& other apostles) continual persecution & facing death for the testimony of Christ; NOT to gain favour (or as you maybe thinking: progress to complete salvation). And all this in context of the previous verses: on the fact of resurrection; that if resurrection was not a certainty for him (& to all who believe), they why should he (Paul) allow suffering to be his daily portion; he could 'eat, drink & be merry'. (See following comment).

Ashley, I don't believe so. The thorns in the Parable of the Sower is talking about thorns that were already there, and seed falling on top of the thorns. Then it talks about he that hears the word, he gets involved in the cares of this world, and deceitfulness of riches, and they choke the word out. No spiritual growth there. He's got the Word trying to establish itself in soil that is already taken up.

Jesus calls it the care of this world and deceitfulness of riches. The word care is the word MERIMNA. It is Satan's only weapon against a believer in Christ, and it means the occupation of the attention of the mind. He cannot penetrate the Spirit of Christ that dwells in us, so he keeps us busy and our minds distracted with the cares of this world so we won't have time for the word, which hinders our growth process.

Backsliding is not found in the N.T. and is never applied to the believer in Christ. It is strictly an O.T. term describing the Children of Israel.

Hope this helps!

Does the thorns have to do with backsliding you suppose?

If it is possible, I'll tell you when I get there :). (Hoping, that is if I make it). Learning and still learning. I believe that is has become simple to say if you believe in Jesus and believe He died for your sins one is forgiven (don't be mistaken, that is true). Paul, one of His messenger's also wrote that he died daily to gain Jesus. Rebuking his *what he believed was true, or his deception* way of living for Him.

Yes it reads deception and not perception.

Some to think about. May God bless many to have eyes to see that they may perceive and a heart to understand

God bless:-)

Love Him with all your soul,heart ,and mind. Be ware what you hear.What measure you meet. His strength is made perfect through weakness.Let your light shine so there will be no darkness at all. Walk while it is light , darkness will come when we cannot walk. Keep your lamps lite and full of oil. Christ is returning for his church!

Mathew 12:28

Mathew 13:24 , Mathew 24:7
Mark 1:14-15
Mark 4:11
Jesus brought the Kingdom of Heaven with His actions, compassion, healing, truth, love , forgiveness etc.

Revelations 21

Hope that helps

I am there. 13 years married, and suddenly nothing. I have wanted to just walk away because it's the easy thing to do and start over. But we have a child. I prayed about it, and I was lead to find peace. I made a vow, not only to my wife, but to God. For better or worse. Read in order Matthew 17:20, Mark 4:36-39, John 14:12. Don't give up, have faith, and demand peace. Focus on God in you

i agree with how we shouldn't let the cares of this world life effect us.

We can learn so much from this chapter if people would just open up their eyes and ears. As Jesus said, "you have eyes, but cannot see." "you have ears, yet you cannot hear." We need to take His Words and apply them to our daily life and share with others to bring forth fruit to grow for the Kingdom of God.

Vanessa: Mark 4:1 It was No Boat. Christ Sat on a Ship, a Sailing Vessel. Mark 3:9 was a Boat. Check in a Concordance, Two Different Words.

we live in a world where many thorns and thistles are rising trying to choke out the truth putting it away in a closet or covering it up, we are to be the light not blinded by darkness that think they are doing good by God but still in the grips of the fowler, it's not about the world and embracing sin but delivering the word, a house cant stand divided, you cant have it both ways God Bless

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,19 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. (education, more education, laziness, money, more money, careers, cars, cloths, anger, meanness, can easily be thorn(s) in our life if allowed; these will choke the word

Whats the difference in the 'kingdom of God' and the 'kingtom of Heaven'?

Wells: Immediately after The Tribulation of those days---He shall send His Angeles with a great sound of a Trumpet, They shall gather together His Elect---Matthew24:29-33 /when affliction or persecution ariseth for The Word's sake, immediately they are offended. Mark 4:17. All True Believers will be Troubled, Persecuted, Afflicted, Suffer Tribulation: all from the same Greek word. Mark 13:13

Verse 9~Jesus did not just want people to hear his words, but he wanted people to act on them.

Verse 27~The man has no control over spiritual growth. Spiritual growth can't be forced or sped up.

I think vs 24, to be one of most precious verses in the N.T. It seems to set forth an important spiritual truth...

You will get out of reading, hearing and studying God's Word, what it is you put into it. "For with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again..."

This is a powerful admonition for us to study and to hear His Word. Romans 10:17...

The storm at sea doesn't let up as Jesus resides in heaven and we on earth have "little faith". We must fend for ourselves, the blind leading the blind. The word has been sown. The sun came up and the earth germinated not the seed for the ground was hard. Thorns and thisles choked the Word for there was lies and corruption. But some shall hear and faint not in their pursuit of the truth, few.

We should not let the cares of this world affect us

We need grow in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Verses 18 and 19: The anxieties of life and wanting material things can cause one's love for God and for God's Word to be choked out and die.

There is not a storm big enough god can not handle in a blink of an eye

Verse 24 reminds me of the principle that you get out of something how much you put into something.

Eze. 8:12 "..Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery?.." When we come before the Lord to hear His word, we have to know WHO it is, that we come before; and with Him who sees into our innermost selves, and shines light upon all our thoughts and intents; we must examine ourselves in truth to set in order before Him.

To Felicia - AMEN Felicia; Acts 2:38

Let us wake Jesus up in our storms by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving and He will speak the only three words Peace, be still. His creation is subject to His voice. This should help increase our faith and remember that Jesus is with us whether in the boat or in the fire He is inside of us who believe. Just call upon His name and His presence will appear. Lord, you are good to me Thanks!

Anthony: Joe, you can be sure he is not talking about possessions. He's talking about true treasures received by reading studying the word with prayer telling others, helping them in their walk. The more you do these things the more you receive. V-23,24,25 go together. Your spiritual ears are opened when you do the above