The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22

The parable of the soils in Matthew’s Gospel is one where the hearer is not a dynamic person, but a passive soil. The purpose of this allegory is to treat the Word of God as a living and active thing which grows in the hearts of the hearers, and this role is fulfilled beautifully.

However, this results in the reader potentially misapplying the message if that context is lost. You are not dirt. Not yet anyway. You may not be able to leave all the bad influences around you or cut off their ways of influencing you but you can be mindful of your choices. You might not be able to avoid hard times or persecution, but you can choose to persist in spite of them.

Moreover, you can be a good influence. The seed is successful when planted next to other healthy seeds.

Don’t miss your chance to be dynamic and active in your own spiritual growth.

Ethan Kirl