Mark 4:4-15 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.… The Lord tells us that this indifference to the Word, by which it fails to convince and convert, is brought about, not through natural, but through supernatural, agency. An enemy does this. In our present fallen state he is able to summon up thoughts which may distract the attention from the thoughts which the life-giving Word suggests, and our evil will fails in with the thoughts which he instills. These thoughts may not always be evil by any means, but they do his work, for they distract the attention, and being far more in accordance with the bent of the evil heart the good thought is swallowed up, effaced, and forgotten. I think that no minister who comes closely into contact with the souls of men for their conversion, but must be aware that there is not only an evil principle at work in the heart, but an evil personal agency which is able to suggest doubts and interpose difficulties, and assist the soul in barring out the Word by placing all his cunning at the disposal of the evil will. Satan or his emissary, the evil spirit to whom he has committed the destruction of the man's soul, cometh immediately. (M. F. Sadler.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.WEB: and it happened, as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it. |
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