Jeremiah 4:3  For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Hosea 10:12  Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Beloved, whenever we make decisions in life, it is like sowing seed. These seeds will either be after the Spirit, or after the flesh. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7,8) These seeds sown in turn develop habits and character. This is the entire lesson of Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the sower. God’s seed is His Word. But the determining factor in whether or not there is good fruit is the condition of the soil, or the heart. Jeremiah reminds us that our hearts, even as regenerated people, can become fallow, or hardened. Our flesh tends towards making decisions that choke God’s Word.

Matthew puts it this way: “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:” “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareththe word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:7,22)

Mark puts it this way: “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.” “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomethunfruitful.” (Mark 4:7,18-19)

Luke writes: “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.” “ And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” (Luke 8:7,14)

When a person is choking, they are losing oxygen. They are losing the ability to breathe. What chokes God’s word from bringing forth fruit in our lives? Care, or the worries of this life. The pursuit or fondness of deceitful riches and wealth. Inordinate lust or desire for other things. Are you choking this morning, beloved? Break up that fallow ground because RIGHT NOW is the time to seek The Lord!