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“Actions are fruits; words are but leaves.”
~ English Proverb
We are continuing to watch Jesus answer an important question: “How do we, as Eagle Leaders, separate the sincere from the insincere?” Teaching those who have shown the initiative to pursue the trainer is what we are learning. One of Jesus’ key strategies was to speak in stories with deeper meanings (called parables in the Bible). When He spoke, He was actually looking for those who wanted to know more about what He was saying.
Listen to Jesus now, as He lays out the trap to catch the sincere …
“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:18-23 (NKJV)
We become like Jesus when …
o We provide opportunities to sift the ‘lookie-lous’ from the serious!
Think about how you teach and train. Are there ways you can incorporate this valuable principle into your leadership style? When Jesus completes this exercise, he finds himself with a handful of men who truly sought after the Kingdom of God and not just the benefits of being close to Jesus.
Moving followers into leaders is a process of using their natural curiosity and the Spirit’s guidance. Jesus teaches us one of the ways he built leaders. I encourage you to think about ways to make this strategy a part of your spiritual tool box.
© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith
