2. Seeds: Who We Are
Examine: Seeds
“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
Psalm 139:16 (ESV)
In this study, we look at seeds as they relate to us.
As a reminder, each time we approach The Word of God, we should ask the Father to guide us, by His Spirit. He created each of us in a unique manner.
Instructions for the Bible and Strong's searches assume that you are using the e-Sword app on your Android or Apple device. If you need help, please view the “Study Preparation” page.
A. Become familiar with what the Word has to say about “seed”.
- Bible Search “seed” (partial match) from the KJV, and then Bible Search again from your preferred bible, or the ESV. Note the difference of returns between KJV and the modern translations. Modern translations often use the word “offspring” in place of “seed”.
- As the Spirit leads you, scroll through the returns and note the context of the word “seed” or “offspring”, with focus on Psalms and the New Testament.
B. Become familiar with what the Word has to say about “flesh”.
- Bible Search “flesh” and scroll through the New Testament returns.
C. Matthew 13 exercise, “The Parable of the Weeds”.
- Read Mat 13:24-30. Jesus is telling of the “Parable of the Weeds”.
- Next, read His explanation of the parable in Mat 13:36-43.
- Use the details from the explanation and rewrite in your own words the “Parable of the Weeds” from Mat 13:24-30.
D. Who are “we”?
In the Mat 13 parable we see two types of “seeds”, wheat and weeds, which Jesus then differentiates as “the sons of the kingdom”, and "the sons of the evil one”. We may refer to these two very different seeds as “His” (God’s seed), and “Not His” (Satan’s seed).
Here are three terms found in scripture that help define who “we” are:
Spirit:
The term spirit is often used in a personal manner and is considered as part of our unique soul. We should not confuse this spirit with God’s perfect Spirit. God’s Spirit enters us the moment we are saved through faith and become a believer.
Scripture gives examples of each, the spirit that is part of the soul, and “God's” Spirit:
“My” spirit (soul):
Psalms 143:4 (ESV) “Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.”
God’s Spirit (in all believers):
Psalms 143:10 (ESV) “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”
Body:
There are two body types, flesh and eternal, or perishable and imperishable. The bodies of flesh live naturally on this earth. Eternal bodies can live on, or under, this physical earth and of course they can also live apart from the natural realm, in Eternity.
1 Corinthians 15:42 (ESV) “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.”
Soul:
Before the foundation of the world, God foreknew us. He created each soul uniquely, and it is our soul that ultimately distinguishes us as individuals.
The term “soul" is understood to encompass our heart, mind, and strength which may include physical strength while in the flesh, but more likely means our determination or willingness, or our spirit (not God’s Spirit).
A believer’s soul is the “battleground” for the struggle between the flesh and God’s perfect Spirit in a believer. The “momentary and light afflictions” faced while in the flesh are part of the sanctification process. The trials and the results vary from soul to soul, and have Kingdom consequences. Many parables speak to this.
As a reminder, “we” didn't start here on earth and this is not our home. We are sojourners and exiles. And we won't be here for very long.
1Pe 2:11 (ESV)
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
E. Read Luke 8: 4-15
- This is another seed related parable. There are similar parables in Matthew and Mark.
- What do the seeds represent in this parable?
- As the sower sowed, some seeds fell along the path, some fell on the rock, some fell among thorns, and some fell on good soil.
- Note that some seeds produce more than others.
- Which seeds do you believe fell to the “sons of the kingdom”?
- Which seeds do you believe fell to the “sons of the evil one”?
In the Examine: Sovereign study we read that God hardens the hearts of some, but has mercy on others. And now it seems that some “sons of the kingdom” may have an advantage over their brothers depending on whether the seed fell on rock, among thorns, or on good soil. This may seem “unfair” to some. But this again speaks to God’s sovereignty.
The Apostle Paul has a good reminder for us in Romans:
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”
But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”
Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” (Romans 9:17-24 ESV)
For the believer, the brief time in the flesh is our opportunity for spiritual growth, sanctification. This includes discipline, and discipline is often painful.
In Hebrews we read: “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)
Let's encourage each other to stay in the Word and stay in prayer.
F. View the Seed Path Illustration Video