20But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
13:20
But he who received the seed on stony places,
There are certain types who receive the message of the kingdom in shallow ground. The soil of volition was not very deep in this case.
this is he who hears the word and immediately receives [welcomes] it with joy;
Superficial believers operate by emotion but have little substance or content to their belief. They have initial excitement about the message but it fades fast in their thinking.
13:21
yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.
Superficial belief is shallow profession of faith. This kind of faith does not last.
For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
The true test of genuine belief is when faith faces tribulation or persecution. Believers with insufficient depth cannot advance in their Christian lives. A shallow person caves in at the first sign of trouble or opposition. Some abandon their faith because of a sense of entitlement.
PRINCIPLE:
Putting priority of comfort over principle produces feeble faith.
APPLICATION:
Superficial belief has no staying power. This person caves at the first whiff of opposition.
