Think for a minute about Jesus’ parable of the four soils found in the Gospels.

A sower went out and scattered the seed of God’s Word on four kinds of soil: a hard path, rocky terrain, thorny ground, and good rich soil.

Most men probably recognize themselves in the first three soils where the seeds don’t grow, yet they honestly want to be like the good soil where the fourth seed fell. Well, we can be that soil! Matthew 13:23 encourages us to be men who hear God’s Word and understand it. Those men produce crops yielding thirty, sixty, or a hundred times what is sown.

What is keeping your life hard, rocky, and choked with troubles and thorns? After all, God created us for more. In John 10:10 He says that he wants us to live an abundant life.

Jesus gave us an insight about why our lives can be hard in His discussion with a group of confused religious men. In Matthew 22:29 he said, “But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (ESV, emphasis added).

Do you understand what Jesus said to these religious men? He made a direct connection between knowing the Bible and leading a powerful life! Many men don’t know the Scriptures and, therefore, don’t know the power of God. But men of valor truly hear and understand God’s Word and, therefore, produce a harvest.

Digging deeply into the Word of God is one of the most important factors for men of valor to live well.

In Acts 17:11 we read: “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (ESV).

What does this mean?

The Berean Jews listened to the Word with enthusiasm, studied it, examined it, and compared Scripture to Scripture―day after day. They diligently reviewed what they heard to see if it was true―just like you need to do when you hear a preacher or a teacher of the Word.

(Those of you who are pastors and teachers, please notice that Paul was not offended by their investigation of his teaching; instead, he praised them! Effective leaders know that truth will only be validated by scrutiny, and strong Christian pastors and teachers should encourage their church members and students to compare what they are preaching and teaching with the Word of God.)

The Bereans understood what Paul later wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (NIV).

Do you want to be a powerful man? Read and apply the Word of God.

With thanks to Pat Morley at Man in the Mirror.