Text: Matthew 13:23
“But the one who received seed in the good ground is he who hears the Word, and understands it. He indeed bears fruit. Some produce a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty”.
Theme Focus: Love the truth, hate lies
Supporting Texts: Proverbs 3:5,7; Proverbs 16:27; Jeremiah 10:23
INTRODUCTION
Life is a battlefield of two powerful, invisible forces—Truth and Lies. Every day, consciously or unconsciously, we are influenced by one of these forces. Truth builds, liberates, and leads to life. Lies destroy, deceive, and ultimately lead to death.
In Matthew 13:23, Jesus describes the good soil—the heart that receives truth, understands it, and produces fruit. This tells us that what we embrace determines what we become.
Beloved, the question is not whether these forces exist; the question is: which one is shaping your life?
1. Matthew 13:23 – The Good Soil
This verse speaks of a heart that:
*Hears the Word (truth)
*Understands it
*Produces fruit
Truth only transforms when it is received, understood, and applied.
2. Proverbs 3:5,7 – Trusting God vs Trusting Self
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
“Be not wise in your own eyes…”
God’s wisdom leads to life.
Lie: Human understanding alone is not sufficient.
3. Proverbs 16:27 – The Destructive Power of Lies
“An ungodly man digs up evil…”
Lies are not passive but they are active forces of destruction.
They spread like fire.
4. Jeremiah 10:23 – The Limitation of Man
“It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”
We need divine guidance.
Lie: “I can figure life out on my own.”
THE TWO OPPOSING FORCES
1. THE FORCE OF TRUTH
*Comes from God
*Produces clarity, peace, direction.
*Leads to growth and fruitfulness
2. THE FORCE OF LIES
*Comes from the enemy
*Produces confusion, fear, deception
*Leads to destruction and stagnation
It is like the Seed and the Soil. A farmer plants two seeds: One in fertile soil (truth) → grows and multiplies
One in poisoned soil (lies).l, dies or produces nothing
Lesson: Your heart condition determines your outcome.
Or the Wrong Map Imagine traveling with a wrong map:
You may be sincere, but you will still be lost
Lesson: Sincerity does not replace truth.
Sweet Poison: Poison mixed with sugar still kills.
Lesson: Lies often look attractive but carry deadly consequences.
1. Truth Must Be Loved
Truth is not always comfortable—but it is always necessary.
2. Lies Must Be Hated
You cannot tolerate what God condemns.
3. You Cannot Serve Both
You must choose: God’s Word or human opinion.
Divine direction or self-direction
*Examine what you believe daily
*Test every thought with God’s Word
*Reject anything that contradicts the truth
*Cultivate a heart that receives truth
CONCLUSION
The battle between truth and lies is not outside—it is within your heart and mind.
Matthew 13:23 shows us the outcome of choosing truth: fruitfulness, increase, and purpose.
If you love truth, your life will flourish. If you embrace lies, destruction is inevitable.
*Choose truth. *Live truth. *Defend truth.
ALTAR CALL
If you have been:
*Living by your own understanding
*Deceived by wrong beliefs
*Struggling to follow God’s truth.
Today is your moment of decision. God is calling you to:
*Turn away from lies
*Embrace His truth
*Surrender your life fully to Him
Say this in your heart: “Lord, I choose truth over lies. I surrender my understanding to You. Lead me in Your way.”
PRAYERS
1. Prayer for Discernment
“Father, open my eyes to recognize truth and expose every lie in my life.”
2. Prayer for Surrender.
“Lord, I reject my own understanding. Teach me to trust You completely.”
3. Prayer for Transformation.
“Let Your truth take root in my heart and produce lasting fruit.”
4. Prayer for Hatred of Evil
“Give me the grace to hate lies and love righteousness.”
5. Prayer for Direction
“Order my steps, O Lord, and lead me in Your perfect will.”
FINAL CHARGE
Every day, two voices will speak:
*One of truth
*One of deception
The one you listen to will determine your destiny.
Choose wisely. Choose truth.
-Kunle Solomon
SheepGate evangelical Ministry. Join us on our WhatsApp page: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BsioVIQmwKW4jX6n6PcKGm?mode=gi_t
Or call +2347051874707
Email: sheepgateevangelicalministry@gmail.com
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