The formal definition of choking is: “The inability to breathe caused by a blockage in the throat or windpipe.”

What’s choking you? What noun (person, place or thing) is blocking your ability to breathe and take in the word of God?

Mark 4:19
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Ever wonder why the word doesn’t seem to “work” for you, but you hear of how it works for others and how God is moving in their lives? It’s not that God has respect of person. No He told us that.

Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

It’s our own fault. We make the word unfruitful in our lives. How so? There are many ways. As Mark 4:19 states, we allow circumstances in life to make the word void (nonexistent). We hear the Word of God, yet we don’t apply it. Or, we hear it but we don’t believe it. 

How do we not receive God’s word? By not doing what God says and not allowing His word to take root, we demonstrate our unbelief in the power of God. 

What am I saying? 

When roots form to create a tree or plant, they spread deep beneath the surface of the ground to establish a foundation. They then draw resources required (nutrients from the soil, water, etc.) to grow and spring forth above the ground. We see and smell the end result of beautiful flowers but we do not fully understand the process it took to develop under ground.

When you allow the cares and pressures of life to take root in your life, they become the source or foundation of everything that drives you and it spreads. Instead of allowing the word to take root, we allow lies, lust, fear, anger, gossip and depression.

Get rid of the choking hazards in your life and open the airways to hear the Lord speak to you.

Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given —and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭24-25‬ NLT)