KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:24-25 (KJV). “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way”.

The Lord Jesus gave a parable about a man who planted good seeds, yet when men slept or when he slept, an enemy came and planted tares. The literal meaning of this parable is about Satan’s children who have mixed up with the true children of God. There are other Interpretations to this parable, yet we would consider the literal interpretation for now. Among the saints of God is a mixed multitude. This mixed multitude is what the Lord calls tares This mixed multitude in the time of Israel’s departure from Egypt, had some, who joined them to go. These were not Israelites. “And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.”

  — Exodus 12:38 (KJV). This mixed multitude caused a lot of havoc, because they had no circumcised hearts. These people influenced Israel to act contrary to the word and way of God.

Apostle Jude also makes mention of certain men who have ‘ crept in unawares.’ “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”— Jude 1:4 (KJV). The real danger posed by some of these people is that some gain influential positions, like Pastors, prophets and heads of ministries. They draw away even some of the righteous ones, by their erroneous doctrines. Apostle Jude specifically mentioned about what they teach about the grace of God. They turn it into lasciviousness. This causes some brethren to live carnally yet they justify it that, the grace of God will overlook all these things. This is rather unfortunate. God’s grace has rather come to perfect the people of God. The grace of God sets a higher standard for us to fulfill. The grace of God is never a license to sin. Some of such teachers are the planting of the devil.

In the presentation of that parable, the Lord said, he would not stop or destroy such men whom Satan has planted before the judgment time. He would wait till the judgment time. Dear reader, have you been planted by the Lord, or it is Satan the enemy who planted you? You can know your master by who you are living for. Are you living for yourself or living for Jesus? What kind of fruits do you produce? Is it the works of the flesh, or the fruits of the Holy Spirit? One last question to help you discover whether you are a planting of Jesus or Satan, is whether you are ready for Jesus coming any day? If you are joyful about Jesus coming today, then you are one of Christ planting. If you are afraid of Jesus coming today, then you might be a planting of the enemy. You can change your status today by repenting from your error to surrendering to Jesus.

CONFESSION

I am the planting of the Lord. I live for the cause of Christ, The grace of God has enabled me to live upright always. I live in anticipation of the coming of the Lord Jesus.

FURTHER STUDIES

  Matthew 13:30 (KJV). “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.”

2 Peter 1:5-9

Philippians 3:18-19. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.