How to Cultivate Spiritual Growth That Lasts

It All Starts With the Soil
When Jesus taught the parable of the sower, He wasn’t just offering an agricultural metaphor. He was describing the reality of our spiritual growth. Every one of us is cultivating some kind of soil in our hearts. And what determines growth isn’t the seed — it’s the soil. The same Word of God falls on different hearts, but only some produce life-changing fruit.

Jesus gives us four kinds of hearts and responses to His Word. The challenge is simple: Which one are you?
 
1. The Hard Heart: When the Word Can’t Take Root
This is the path, the soil so compacted that nothing can penetrate. For the hard-hearted, the Word barely makes an impression. Maybe you’ve become indifferent. Maybe past hurt, cynicism, or disappointment has hardened you. Whatever the cause, God’s Word lands — but doesn’t linger.

Hard hearts don’t want to be read by the Word. They resist disruption, even if it means resisting growth. But remember, pruning isn’t punishment — it’s beauty preparation.
 
2. The Shallow Heart: When Pressure Wipes Out Progress
The rocky soil represents the shallow heart. This heart hears the Word and receives it joyfully, but it withers when trouble hits. Faith is exciting until it’s tested. When adversity comes, do you cling to God’s promises or return to your strength?

This kind of heart doesn’t grow deep roots; without roots, nothing lasts. Like George Whitfield said, when asked how many people were saved at his revivals, “We’ll see in a few years.”

Actual spiritual growth is revealed over time, in moments of emotion and seasons of pressure.
 
3. The Divided Heart: When Distractions Choke Out Growth
This is the seed among thorns — the divided heart. This person hears the Word and the world, and lets both compete for attention. Eventually, the worries of life and the deceitfulness of success choke out what God wants to do.

The divided heart is not always deliberate. It happens slowly, one distraction at a time: a full schedule, a busy job, a preoccupied mind. Before long, God’s Word gets drowned out by everything else.

JD Greer once said, “I’m convinced distraction sends more people to hell than doubt.” That’s a bold statement, but it echoes Jesus’ warning — when our hearts are divided, they become unfruitful.
 
4. The Open Heart: When Transformation Takes Root
Finally, there’s the good soil—the open heart. This heart hears, understands, and receives the Word—not casually, not occasionally, but deeply. This person says, “God, whatever You want to do in me—I’m listening.”

When that happens, something miraculous occurs. Growth happens. Not just a little — but thirty, sixty, even a hundred times more than what was planted. Seeds don’t normally multiply like that. But Jesus says, “When my Word truly takes root, the fruit that comes can only be from God.”

This is not the result of your effort — it’s the result of openness. When your heart is ready, God does the work.
 
Which Soil Describes You Today?
●Are you hard-hearted? Resistant, guarded, indifferent?
●Are you shallow-hearted? Quick to believe, but quick to abandon?
●Are you divided-hearted? Distracted by busyness, success, or stress?
●Are you open-hearted? Ready for God’s Word to change you?

The invitation is the same wherever you are: Ask God to open your heart. It’s not about shame or performance. It’s about honestly evaluating where you are, and asking God to meet you there.
 
Spiritual Growth Starts With Surrender
Maybe you’ve struggled to stay focused in your faith. Perhaps the distractions of life have consumed you. Maybe you’re tired, discouraged, or just going through the motions.

You don’t need a new formula. You need a new posture.

Just pray, “God, help me have an open heart. I’m here. I’m listening. Do what only You can do in me.”

When the Word is planted in open soil, the result isn’t just growth — it’s transformation.
 
What Fruit Follows an Open Heart?
Jesus doesn’t leave us guessing. Galatians 5 tells us the fruit that grows from a Spirit-led, Word-rooted life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

You don’t produce those on your own. But when your heart is open, God plants them. He grows them. And others begin to notice. Not because you’re trying harder, but because you’re rooted deeper.


This blog is based on the message shared by Campus Pastor Chris DeArman at our CityRise Bellaire campus on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Check out the full message below!