By Mavis M. duCille
Scripture reading: Matthew 13:19
Some weeks ago I had a dream. There was a meeting in a very large hall. I could not see the preacher, but the message was on the absolute and urgent necessity of sanctification, dealing specifically with the cleansing of the inner man – the way we feel and deal about people and matters; at home, husbands to wives, children to parents, parents to children; honor and respect for our elders, not just elders ordained of God for care of the church, but older people; our downright honesty before God, His people and the world at large. (This was the end of the dream.)
We are living in a time of total disrespect and disregard for honest, decent living, but God’s people are called upon to redeem the time with love and purity – VIRTUE. Be of a sound mind.
“The loss of gold is much, the loss of time is more, but the loss of character is such a loss that no man can restore” (Unknown).
As I came out of this dream, I heard the words spoken so clearly, “SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT CAUGHT in the alley of fools.”
I totally forgot the experience until I sat in a meeting in Dallas about two weeks later, when a brother read from 2nd Peter 3:16.
“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
As he read the word “understood,” I was enlightened. I saw the parable of the sower. Understanding, where God is concerned, is not mere comprehension, but Spiritual Enlightenment.
I can say I received understanding or spiritual enlightenment right then, and I understood Matthew 13. The sower went to sow, and as he scattered his seeds, they fell on different soils, which really represent the hearts of men. The difference, therefore, between the different groups of people is UNDERSTANDING.
I started looking into the word “understand,” and discovered that it was a vital ingredient in all spiritual operations of God. In Matthew 13:19, the separation between the good soil and the stony, or any of the others, was UNDERSTANDING.
“When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.”
Let us list the main points in this parable:
- The wicked one taking away the seed, or Word planted, because of much worldliness.
- Tribulation and persecution because the Word caused offense, which is the result of the Word not having been allowed to take root in the heart.
- Cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches – money, money, money – choked the Word of God’s dealing with the individual, resulting in fruitlessness.
But in verse 23 they brought forth fruit 30, 60, 100-fold. HEARING AND UNDERSTANDING PRODUCED.
Let us look for a minute at Daniel 11:32-33, “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.”
Also, Daniel 12:10, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” There are a few words in these scriptures that stand out:
KNOW – Not just a mere knowledge of God that He is good and exists somewhere, but rather have such a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who through His divine power has given us ALL things that pertain to life, and Godliness, because we are called to glory and virtue. See 2nd Peter 1:3. As we escape the corruption which is in the world through lust, we become partakers of the divine nature. See 2nd Peter 1:4. We are being birthed into Christ, of God.
UNDERSTAND – Enlightened of God. They that are enlightened of God will instruct many in the time of the end.
WISE – This seems to be linked with understanding.
WICKED – This is linked with the foolish and those without understanding.
PURIFIED – Cleansed of worldliness and all things that are contrary to righteousness, that there be no place found in us for the devil and evil. Michael and his angels fought the dragon, and there was no place found for him in heaven, for he was cast out. See Revelation 12:7-10.
When we look at Matthew 25:1-13, and see the parable of the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish, it would seem as if WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING and KNOWLEDGE have a peculiar link. In verse 12, the bridegroom says, “I know you not” – you have not allowed me to permeate your being that you could be rid of the carnal nature and be transformed into the divine nature.
May the Lord help us, that in all our getting, we might get understanding, and be not caught in the alley of the foolish.
(Excerpt from Nuggets for the Needy, 1997, pages 15-19)
Thought for today: May the Lord help us, that in all our getting, we might get understanding, and be not caught in the alley of the foolish.
Sonlight Devotional 
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