Tares and Wheat

Tares and wheat. In their early growth they closely resemble each other. But that’s where their similarities end. Wheat feeds the body nutrients necessary for life. Tares, on the other hand, have a strong sedative effect. In other words, they put you to sleep. 

And therein lies the extreme danger to our souls. The Lord spoke of wheat and tares in Matthew 13. Here is a portion of what He said: 

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also . . ..” 

The Lord explained the parable to His disciples a few verses later: “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 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; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil . . . (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42). 

I hope you caught that. Tares are sons of the devil. St Paul described them this way: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness . . .  (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) 

For good reason Scripture warns us to beware of the Tares, especially in our churches. They’re the ones who, with their subtle perversions of Scripture, lull their people into spiritual lethargy. St. Augustine spoke of them:

“I tell you of a truth, my Beloved, even in these high seats there is both wheat, and tares, and among the laity there is wheat, and tares . . . [L]et us all through His mercy escape the evil of this world. Let us seek after good days, for we are now in evil days . . . .” 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned about Tares: “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession...Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” 

Christian, please hear this: If your pastor preaches God’s love and mercy without repentance and conversion, and heaven without a hell – then you and your family are in grave danger of being lulled into spiritual slumber. That is why I urge you – find yourself a pastor who will feed you life-giving, energizing wheat. 

Your eternal soul, and those of your family, depend in large measure on where you get fed.