Topical Bible: Wicked (People): Compared With: Stony Ground

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In the biblical context, the term "wicked" refers to individuals who live in opposition to God's commandments and righteousness. The wicked are often characterized by their sinful actions, rebellion against divine authority, and moral corruption. Throughout Scripture, the fate and behavior of the wicked are contrasted with those who are righteous and obedient to God's will.

The parable of the sower, as recounted in the Synoptic Gospels, provides a metaphorical comparison that can be drawn between wicked people and the stony ground. In this parable, Jesus describes a sower who scatters seed, which falls on different types of soil, each representing a different response to the word of God. The stony ground is particularly illustrative of a certain type of spiritual condition.

Stony Ground:

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus explains the parable of the sower, saying, "Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root" (Matthew 13:5-6). He further interprets this in Matthew 13:20-21 : "The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away."

Comparison:

1. Superficial Reception: Both the wicked and those represented by the stony ground may initially appear receptive to spiritual truths. However, their engagement is superficial. The wicked may acknowledge God's existence or even participate in religious activities, but their hearts remain untransformed, similar to the seed that quickly sprouts but lacks depth.

2. Lack of Endurance: Just as the seed on stony ground withers under the sun's heat due to its lack of roots, the wicked falter when faced with trials or the demands of true discipleship. Their commitment to God is shallow, and they are easily swayed by worldly temptations or pressures.

3. Absence of Fruitfulness: The stony ground fails to produce lasting fruit, mirroring the lives of the wicked, who do not bear the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Their actions are often self-serving and contrary to the love, joy, peace, and other virtues that characterize a life aligned with God's will.

4. Judgment and Consequences: Scripture consistently warns of the ultimate judgment awaiting the wicked. Psalm 1:4-5 states, "Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous." Similarly, the seed on stony ground is ultimately unproductive and discarded, symbolizing the spiritual barrenness and eventual judgment of those who reject God's word.

In conclusion, the comparison between wicked people and the stony ground serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of genuine faith and deep-rooted commitment to God. It calls believers to examine their own hearts, ensuring that they are not merely hearers of the word but doers, cultivating a faith that endures and bears fruit in accordance with God's purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 13:5
Some fell on stony places, where they had not much earth: and immediately they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Results of True Repentance.
... compared with the Bible is as a rushlight compared with the ... white man; and there
are a great many people in this ... of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/results of true repentance.htm

How to Promote a Revival.
... The mind of man is often compared in the Bible ... The times you have spoken behind people's
backs of their ... What a wicked servant is he that loiters himself, and ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture iii how to promote.htm

Religion Pleasant to the Religious.
... He inhabiteth eternity: we are but worms compared with Him. ... no pleasure in the death
of the wicked." "What could ... And the Psalmist: "O that My people would have ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xiv religion pleasant to.htm

The Agreement of Salvation by Grace with Walking in Good Works
... others, knowing that they had not done well, as compared with other people, would
think ... to be making some more proud, and others more wicked, through the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the agreement of salvation by.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... There are many who may be compared to weeping marbles ... vexed with the unclean
conversation of the wicked' (2 Peter 2:7 ... The people of this land have laid out their ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

Translated from Latin of Rufinus.
... But since thou wilt not let My people go, lo ... same nature indeed, as is every soil
compared with another ... am to blame for your perverse and wicked habits, because ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from latin of rufinus.htm

Hail, Jesus;
... Hail, sweet Jesus, who, being compared with the notorious ... upon Mount Calvary in the
sight of the people,. ... Jews, who vomited out of their wicked mouths sundry ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/hail jesus.htm

Power in Operation.
... The heart is compared to a temple. ... There is no peace for the wicked, saith my God ...
I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people; for unto ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter iv power in operation.htm

The Strait Gate;
... four sorts of ground, the highway, the stony, the thorny ... it intendeth the open profane,
the wicked and ungodly ... intendeth those that cleave to the people of God ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

Boniface, Apostle of the Germans.
... evil way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall ... I rejoice in the welfare of
my people, and the ... Adalbert the Frank, who must not be compared with Clement ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/boniface apostle of the germans.htm