Jesus taught a parable about a farmer who planted wheat in his field, but while he slept an enemy came and planted the tares among the wheat. Then the workers came and said to him, “Do you want us then to go out and gather the tares up?” But he says, “No, for while you’re gathering up the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into My barn.’” (Matthew 13:28-30)
This teaching has so many deep truths for us to glean. First, “the enemy planted the tares among the wheat.” Satan specializes in counterfeits. The pulpits of the world, as well as Christian schools, are filled with wolves dressed as sheep. It has never been as important as it is today for the Church to be discerning.
The enemy has also weaponized our fruit of the Spirit. If anyone questions a false teacher they are quickly labeled as “unloving, and un-Christlike.” Yet we are instructed to “test the spirits.”
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)
The servants are instructed not to rip the tares out for fear of ripping out the wheat as well. “Let them grow together till harvest.” For those who believe the doctrine that the church will create heaven on earth before Jesus returns, this Scripture nullifies that. As the Church grows, so will evil. Both will grow in intensity as they mature nearer to harvest. The believers will bear fruit that is getting sweeter with the scorching heat of life, but the tares are developing a poison in its “fruit” that is bitter to taste and causes profound dizziness. Yet... they appear the same outwardly. Beware!
So how are the reapers to know the difference between them at harvest time? The wheat’s head is bowed in humble maturity, but the tare remains upright, arrogant and proud. They are easily identified and divided now, one to be destroyed in fire, the other to Safety in the barn.
Friends, if you find your head hung low in much prayer these days, be encouraged, it’s a sign the season is far spent, and our Harvest is near.
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