TARES AMONG THE WHEAT

TARES AMONG THE WHEAT!

Matt 13:24-25

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:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

           The parable of the tares is found in Matthew 13:25-40. The wheat represents true believers and the tares represents pretenders. It is most difficult to tell them apart. Their appearance is very similar but the proof is in the eating.

           Dr. Albert Barnes explains:  “By "tares" is probably meant a degenerate kind of wheat, or the darnel-grass growing in Palestine. In its growth and form it has a strong resemblance to genuine wheat; but it either produces no grain, or that of a very inferior and hurtful kind. Probably it comes near to what we mean by "chess." It was extremely difficult to separate it from the genuine wheat, on account of its similarity while growing.

          

The "taste" is bitter, and when eaten separately, or even when diffused in ordinary bread, it causes dizziness, and often acts as a violent emetic. Barn-door fowls also become dizzy from eating it. In short, it is a strong soporific poison, and must be carefully winnowed, and picked out of the wheat grain by grain, before grinding, or the flour is not healthy.

Grain by grain! That’s how it is with our daily lives, isn’t it? We sow good things into our mind, heart, and lives but later we find things that are bitter and sickening. Where did those things come from? The enemy has sowed tares among our wheat.

Sift your life and carefully pluck away those things that are bitter. Better yet, ask God to sift your life and purify it.

Luke 22:31-32

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Dear Lord, within the good wheat of my life grows tares. In spite of my best efforts, I find within me things that must make you sick. Pluck them from me grain by grain. Purify me, I pray. AMEN