Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;


Both the wheat and the tares are in church and are not easily distinguished. The devil is a copier of what is good, only his copies work for evil. Where would his tares do the most harm in the church? I believe that many of the tares are in leadership. They are pastors, teachers, elders and in other positions of authority. They do not preach the whole word of God, but only things that do not offend. They leave out the scriptures about sin, repentance and eternal damnation. They water the wheat and tares with feel good messages and this way they attract many people and appear to be successful and prosperous.


How important is the whole word of God?


Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.


We need the conviction of God through his word and the working of his spirit. Our lives should show the fruit of the spirit and not the fruit of the accuser. Some false teachers and prophets are quick to accuse a person of God who may be a threat to them. The religious leaders accused Jesus and he gave them a rebuke.


John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.


Are we the wheat or the tares? Do you love the truth? Do you love the LORD? Does your life bring forth good fruit of the Holy Spirit or the works of the devil? Are you an encourager bringing unity and peace or a divider and a strife maker. The angels know who God's people are. They will gather the good wheat unto God and the tares will be thrown into the fire.


Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.


A final thought. We should leave the tares alone if they are not aggressively serving satan. Perhaps as sinners they will be convicted by God through his faithful servants who preach his word and are led by his spirit. We must be careful who we weed out, because in the past many of the best people of God were burned at the stake and martyred by the leaders who were serving satan blindedly. Lord give us your eyes, your mind and your heart to serve you wisely in these last days, to choose what is eternally good and to bring others to your saving grace. In Jesus' name, amen.