The Wheat and the Tares

“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also,” Matthew 13:24-26, KJV.

Focal Passage: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42

There are places that some of us like to go mores so than others. For some people it is home, for others it may be a place away from home. Where ever this place is (on Earth), imagine that it is the place you feel most safe and secure. In this environment you feel comfortable, free, and relaxed. This particular setting embodies all of your favorite people. It could be a spouse, parent, obedient children, or even siblings. There is no place you’d rather be other than Heaven, of course.

Let us remember that the enemy is at work and this beloved environment of ours is not exempt from his possible meddling. The only environment in which we have control over is ourselves. We cannot make another person do anything, no matter how much we may want them to. Well, in the above parable, Jesus stated that the kingdom of heaven is like a man which sowed good seed in his field. Well, going back to this special place that we may cherish, wouldn’t it make sense that we took care of it? We wouldn’t go around in this place throwing trash around, we would be more apt to “sow good seeds.” We wouldn’t kick the door in to enter, we would use a key. But what would an enemy do?

“…But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” Although we have close friends in our lives that may be a sister, brother, mother, father, or best friend, it is important to apply the word of God to each and every individual. Someone we may think has our best interest at heart may not. And the ones we may think is out to get us may only be looking for a way in which they can contribute to our lives. The enemy is conniving to plant bad seed among the good. But Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

We must keep our spiritual eyes open, trusting in God for discernment, understanding also that we are not God and we know not the beginning to the end. He is the only One who is omniscient. In understanding this, it is imperative that we continue to spread the word of God, not giving up on the ones who may look hopeless. “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,” Matthew 13:30.