Stony Ground or Vain Affections

Though the seed sown is good, and the messenger is good, diverse effects are produced in the hearts of men. The "stony ground" hearers are not insincere; the scripture say that they "with joy receive" the word sown, but can go no further, because they have no root. They are excited, yet they have no depth. We are to take heed how we hear. We cannot put our hand to the plow and turn back. We must learn the mystery of this parable to examine ourselves, to help and encourage others, and to know how to pray.