Daily Devotions
Mark
1 Peter 3:16 "Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed."
Day 93 – Mark 4
“Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” 1 Peter 3:16
EVEN WITHOUT SATANIC INTERFERENCE
Spiritual success is not easy to come by! There is always Satanic interference to consider. However, even without his infernal attacks, the individual may not succeed easily. Let us ponder the following text that describes the seed that fell on stony ground.
“These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who,
when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
and they have no root in themselves, and so endure
only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution
arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.”
MARK 4:16-17
This was the analysis given by the Lord Jesus concerning the seed that fell on stony ground.
1. Transient Gladness experienced
a) This gladness is real enough when the word of God is first heard and received.
b) However it is short-lived gladness.
2. No deep root system
a) Long-term support is not possible.
b) They endure “only for a time”.
c) Under difficult circumstances they will not be able to stand.
3. Difficult times described
a) Tribulation.
b) Persecution.
c) Suffering for the sake of the word of the Lord.
d) These stumble and fall away.
Spiritual success depends on more than the Word of God. Much depends on the kind of heart the individual possesses. If the person has “a stony heart” the above word of warning would apply!