Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Luke 8:4-8
"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. Luke 8:11,14
While being trained in the art of hand-to-hand combat, I was taught a particularly nasty little move, the rear strangle take-down. You sneak up behind an unsuspecting sentry and in a split second, wrap one arm around the neck, placing the shoulder to the back of the head, then leaping backwards, thrusting both your body and your opponents to the ground. It immediately cuts off the air supply and has a high probability of snapping the neck. The move is silent and deadly. It sounds pretty gruesome doesn’t it? But consider how the things of this world can strangle the life of faith. They quietly and slowly creep up from behind and before the sleeping Christian can react, these things wrap themselves around the vital passageway of abundant life and choke out the things of the Spirit. It’s spiritual strangulation as a result of life's worries, riches and pleasures. Check your six, Stay Alert, Stay Alive. SP281
