Soil & Seed – The Keys to the Kingdom – Thorns That Choke the Word

“The enemy is after the Word of God in your life. If he can choke out the Word, he can choke out your breath and your fruit.” – Chad Everett

The Word and the Soil

In Mark 4, Jesus explains that the Word of God is like seed, full of life and power. The seed itself never changes—but the soil it lands in determines whether it bears fruit or not. In this message, Thorns That Choke the Word, Chad Everett teaches that the condition of our heart is what decides whether God’s Word will multiply or be strangled before it ever grows.

The Three Thorns

Jesus names three specific thorns that compete for our attention and choke the Word:

• The cares of this world—worry, stress, and anxiety that overwhelm our faith.

• The deceitfulness of riches—trusting in money or possessions rather than God.

• The desires for other things—chasing distractions that steal our focus from Him.

These thorns don’t just sit on the surface—they move in, take root, and begin to suffocate the Word of God. When the thorns win, the Word becomes unfruitful.

The Counter Moves

The good news is that God gives us counter moves to uproot every thorn. Casting our cares on Jesus, living in generosity, and seeking first the kingdom of God are practical ways to guard our soil. Chad challenges us to take inventory of our hearts and clear out the thorns so that the Word has room to breathe, grow, and multiply.

Choosing Good Soil

In Thorns That Choke the Word, you’ll be encouraged to let the Holy Spirit examine your heart. What’s choking out God’s Word in your life? What’s competing for your time, attention, and faith? When we hear the Word, accept it, and respond in obedience, we position ourselves as good soil—ready for a harvest of thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.

Key Scriptures:

Mark 4: 3–20, Philippians 4: 6–7, 1 Peter 5: 7, 1 Timothy 6: 6–19, Matthew 6: 33