THE ENEMY PLANTS COUNTERFEITS AMONGST THE REAL
Matthew 13: 24-30: The Wheat and the Tares
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.26 But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
• Jesus Christ sows the good seed
• Wheat depicts true believers, and the tares were ones that were professors but not possessors
Isa 29:13: Wherefore the Lord said, forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Matthew 15:8: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”
• The Tare is found in grain fields and is a poisonous grass that almost looks like wheat. But in harvest time they can be recognized and separated easily
Back in Matthew 13 Vs. 25 said But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way
• We know who that enemy is -Satan
HE IS THE MASTER COUNTERFEITER AND DECEIVER AND SOWS COUNTERFEIT WHEAT AMONGST THE REAL WHEAT
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
• He can appear as a real angel
• But also appears in His fallen form
HIS FOLLOWERS CAN SEEM REAL
2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
SATAN HAS COUNTERFEITS:
Christians: 2 Cor 11:26: Paul said in perils among false brethren
Counterfeit Gospel: Gal 1:6-9
Counterfeit Righteousness: Rom 10:1-3
Counterfeit Church: Rev 2:9
Will produce a Counterfeit Christ: 2 Thess 2:1-12
Back in Matthew 13: Vs. 26: But when the blade brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Matt 7:16 Jesus said: Ye shall know them by their fruit…
Good fruit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
Sin’s Fruit: revenge, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, resentment, Gossip, lies, and slander
Matthew 13:27-30: Jesus said, don’t root up the tares:
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.30 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 13:37-42 The Parable of the Wheat and Tares is explained:
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one;39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
- Jesus separates the righteous from the wicked
- Jesus knows what to do
WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE OF THE FAITH
THE BIBLE SAYS FOR US TO DO SELF-EXAMINATION
QUESTION: ARE YOU A WHEAT OR A TARE?
2 Corinthians 13:5: 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
1 Corinthians 11:28: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.
Lamentations 3:40 – Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.