Things are not always what they appear to be. There’s much that goes undetected below the surface (in the inner workings) that we can’t see. Evil has a way of incubating in secrecy, and darkness until it’s time to rear its ugly head—by then it may be too late.
Parable of the Wheat and Tares—A Cautionary Tale
The premise in the parable Jesus told about the wheat and tares in Matthew 13:24-30, is about a man who sowed good seed of wheat in his field, but while he was asleep, an enemy came and sowed tares among his wheat. The tares that Jesus referred to were (and still are) common among the region where the listeners lived. A tare is a toxic weed known as darnel, which is a species of rye-grass that is bitter tasting and poisonous. It bears a close resemblance to wheat until the ear appears. Wheat is golden, but the tare reveals its true color when it ripens. It’s only then that the difference is discovered. Jesus went on to explain the meaning behind the parable after his disciples asked him to.
“He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:36-43).
WAKE UP CALL: Your Basis of Truth Matters
How do you determine what is true and what is false? Where do you go to help you to discern what’s right and what is wrong? Your answer will determine what type of seed is sown in your heart to take root and either direct you or misdirect you. God’s Word (as the written Word (Eph. 6:17), and as the living Word (Rev. 1:16, 19:15)) is compared to a two-edged sword in Hebrews 4:12 that’s quick and powerful, capable of sharply piercing and dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow—discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart (that which is begotten of the flesh and that which is begotten of the Spirit (John 3:6), as well as between the natural and spiritual (1Cor. 2:13-14)). The word ‘discerning’ comes from the Greek word kritikos, meaning that God’s Word acts as a ‘critic’ to be man’s judge (John 12:48). Yet men and women have become the critics, deluded by their deceitful hearts (Jer. 17:9, Rom. 3:10, 23), and dare to sit in judgment on that very Word that is meant to judge them. God’s Word is clear though, that in the last day men and women will be criticized (judged) by the same Word on which they today sit in judgment (Rom. 1:18-31)
It’s time to wake up and realize that an enemy has been sowing tares among the wheat (Eph. 5:8-13). Make no mistake about it, we’re living in troubling times where evil is called good, and good is called evil (Isaiah 5:20). The enemy of God, Satan, has been sowing lies and perverting the truth of God since he slithered into the garden (Gen. 3). The root, core, and motive of Satan is to oppose, pervert, and destroy all that God has created for good and for His purposes. Lying is his native language and his purpose is to entrap and destroy those that buy into his enticing words (John 8:44, 1 Pet. 5:8). This dark evil should not be taken lightly as we war not with flesh and blood, but with dark spiritual wickedness and forces in high places (2 Cor. 10:3, Eph. 6:12). Please don’t be duped into the enemy’s lies that puff up your fleshly mind telling you that you can handle this on your own or in your own strength (Col. 2:18).
It’s unbelievable what’s being promoted, accepted, and celebrated in our society today—and even more so that those who dare stand up against it are being silenced and persecuted. Don’t be discouraged as God has not left us defenseless or ignorant of the enemy’s devices (2 Cor. 2:11, 10:3-5). All we need to discern between the true and the false and be equipped is provided in God’s Word (the only source of what is true) (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Heb. 4:12, Eph. 6:10-11, 13-17, Col. 2:2-3).
Our Creator and Redeemer is the only One Who has our best interest at heart (Rom. 5:8-11, Eph. 2:4-10, 1 John 4:9-10). We can trust His pure, faithful, unchanging, and immutable Word (James 1:17, Titus 1:2, Heb. 6:18). We can also learn more about God’s enemy and how it will end up for him (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-18, Rom. 16:20, Heb. 2:14, 1 John 3:8, Rev. 12:9, 20:2).
Anything that leads you in the opposite direction of what God has clearly stated in His Word is from Satan so take heed before you swallow his bitter and poisonous lies.
To help you gear up, I pray that the following chart will help you dig into God’s Word so you can discern/understand the differences better between the True and the false and redeem the time because the days are evil (Eph. 5:16).
“Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that will He reap. For he that sows to his flesh will he reap. For he that sows to his flesh will reap corruption (ruin/perish); but he that sows of the Spirit will of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:7-10).
May you be established by the root of righteousness that can’t be moved and yields fruit (Prov. 12:3, 12).
Laura
Spring is in the air–literally–as there is a special sublime smell in the air as the earth, which has been frozen & dormant over winter, warms up and reaches a temperature for plants to flourish. It’s also the time when the axis of the earth increases its tilt relative to the sun so the days are filled with light longer. This combination of events causes flowers & plants to “spring forth”. It’s a perfect time to sow seeds–which brings me to the parable Jesus told in Luke 8:4-15:
Caged Bird Sings 