Another parable is about the sower and the tares (weeds). Today's sower also represents Jesus and God's word being sown, but then another man comes along and spreads bad seed...
(Matthew 13:24-30) Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
In yesterday's parable, Satan's strategy was to tempt or attack a person directly in order to keep them away from God.
In this parable, Satan's strategy is to have other people tempt or attack others in order to keep them away from God...
(Matthew 13:36-43) Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” 37 And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
From this we see:
- Satan is the enemy who spreads evil and puts evil people among God's people (Matt.13:39)
- Satan uses "his" people to tempt and attack Christians (Matt.13:38)
- Satan will not have victory over God's Church (Matt.16:18)
- the harvest will be at the end of the (Jewish) age, which is at the end of the Tribulation (Matt:13:39)
- at harvest (at the end of the Tribulation), God will send out the reapers, His angels, to gather all demons and all unbelievers and remove them from earth (Matt:13:39-42)
Personal experience: there will be wolves in sheep's clothing among us and even in our churches. And they won't all look the same.
Like, this one young woman who started attending our church and went through all the right motions, but as I got to know her better, I had questions. So I invited her over for lunch one day to get to know her better. While giving her some advice on a certain issue she was having (still assuming she was a believer), she admitted to being involved in "white magic" and still believed in the power of crystals (etc.)
While all unbelievers should be invited to church so they can hear the good news, we need to stay vigilant. Once they have heard God's words, but they begin to cause divisions, the situation needs to be addressed. And they definitely should not be serving in the church in any capacity, because servants of God are looked to as and should be considered examples to follow.
It soon became known that there was at least one man in the church who was enamored with this young woman and was willing to leave his wife for her. As people prayed over the situation/s, she and her boyfriend left the church. Sadly, the other man still left his wife, as well as the church.
Then there are those wolves in sheep's clothing who are slicker than others. Now, I'm not talking about the pastors who are Christians, who make mistakes and fall into temptation. I'm talking about very intelligent people who are only pretending to be Christians in order to become pastors.
As one observes their ministry, odd "little" things begin to creep out and become more and more obvious. Things that are just not right. Like, they begin to teach things that are not biblical. Or they say and do things which undermine the authority of God's words. These things need to be dealt with as soon as possible, and hopefully the elders are ready and equipped, and have the support of the congregation. And hopefully as a church looks for a new pastor, they do the necessary interviews and substantial reference checks, (etc.)
But let's also consider ourselves. Let us not be "sheep in sheep's clothing". As believers, it can be so easy to fall into the habit of just "doing Christianity" instead of BEING Christian.
Today's takeaway: I've seen so many unique circumstances in both the mission field and in churches. And because we are not to gossip, and we are not to carelessly make accusations, it can become very tricky. Our biggest and best "weapon" is prayer. We should be constantly praying for our church/es. Our spiritual leaders. And our brothers and sisters in Christ.
One of the few valid reasons for leaving any church would be when the doctrines are altered and it is no longer a godly church.
But do not be discouraged! Find another church!!! Look at their doctrinal statement!!! They should not claim any sort of exclusivity. They should claim that: the Bible is the infallible word of God. God is three in one (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit). Jesus is part of the Trinity. Salvation is only through faith in Jesus and His work on the cross. Salvation is NOT through works, or partially through works. One cannot lose their salvation...
Any specific church is not "ours" - it is God's - - - and God is faithful to look after His Church and His children...
(Ephesians 4:1-6) Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
(1 Corinthians 1:9-10) God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
(Matthew 16:18) I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
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