How do we know that a good heart is important for receiving God's Word?

In the parable of the sower, the good heart is described as a heart that has been broken and made receptive by God. This heart, as indicated in Ezekiel 36:26, is a new heart given by God, allowing for genuine faith and love for the truth. The good ground not only hears the Word but also understands it and allows it to take root, resulting in the production of fruit as mentioned in Matthew 13:8. The importance of a good heart underscores the necessity of divine intervention in transforming our hearts, as without such a change, the Word cannot penetrate or yield any spiritual life.