In Matthew 13:24–26, Jesus began to teach about good seeds and tares. What is a tare? It is defined as a small seed and is a noxious seed (or bad one). Jesus said “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. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.”
When the servants of the farmer came and asked him, “Didn’t you sow good seed? Where did the tares come from?”, he told the servants that the enemy did it. The servants asked the farmer, “Do you want us to go gather up the tares?” The farmer said, “No, because if you do, you will pull up the wheat as well.” The farmer said to let them grow together until harvest time. “Then we will gather the tares first, bind them, and burn them, and take the wheat into the barn.”
This parable shows that Satan will do anything to disrupt what God does by sowing bad seeds with the good ones. Does this sound familiar? That is exactly what is going on in today’s world. Satan is doing everything he can to counteract all the good that God is doing. Remember, he is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is a liar and a thief. Sometimes his tricks work by causing believers to go astray. All we need to do is take a look at what is happening around us, not only in the world but in America as well.
Take a look at television fifty years ago. You didn’t hear the terrible language or see almost-naked people. Comedians didn’t have to curse to be funny. Cartoons didn’t look like demons. Children’s shows were clean and funny at the same time. Movies weren’t as nasty as they are now. Cursing in public was frowned upon. Now anything goes, and it doesn’t matter where or who may be in the area. The disrespect for people wasn’t tolerated; today, it’s dog eat dog. Respect from young people was a good thing; today, older people are beaten, robbed, and murdered for a few dollars. Yes, there was crime then, but nothing like it is today. Satan has changed what was wrong and made it right, and what is right and made it wrong.
Even the church has fallen prey to this. Take a look at what is happening within the church today. When I was growing up, my dad wore a suit to church, women wore dresses, and children wore nice clothes. Now, people wear whatever they want—shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, and the like. God wants us to look decent when we go to His house. Yes, times have changed, but that doesn’t mean we have to look like the rest of the world.
Preachers have really changed. Take a look at the way they look now. Dressing anyway they want with no respect for God’s house. Pulpits are gone; no Bible in their hands. They want to entertain us instead of preaching the Word as they should. They want us to feel good and be comfortable. I don’t go to church to be entertained or to feel good. I go to hear the Word of the Lord and praise His name.
The Word of God should make us understand who God is and what He has done for us by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins. His Word strengthens our faith and encourages us by knowing where we will spend eternity.
Money is another area where the church has changed. How many preachers do nothing but talk about money? Music used to be something that was wonderful. Now it reminds me of a rock concert. We don’t sing the old hymns much anymore. The sanctuary is dark, and it looks like a bar.
Satan is behind these changes. What we need is to go back to the old-fashioned way of going to church, of praising and worshipping God with fear and respect. This has caused many Christians to leave the church. When this happens, Satan has won. We need to throw him out of the church and our country. Begin to praise God and resist Satan. When we do this, his tares will have to leave.
These things will end someday when God puts a stop to it at the end of the ages. Stand up for God. Be alert about what is happening. Pay attention to false teachers, preachers, and false Christians. Satan knows that his time is short, and he knows Scripture. His demons will come as angels of light. Discern the spirits. If it isn’t glorifying Jesus, it isn’t from God. Jesus said in Matthew13:37 that He is the one who sows the good seed. The field is the world, and the tares are of the children of Satan.
But be of good cheer. Jesus will see to it that these tares will have their place in Hell, and we will shine forth as the sun. Jesus said, “he who has ears, let him hear.” Are you hearing what Jesus said? Are you ready for eternity? Have you accepted Jesus as Savior? Do you want to go to Heaven? If you haven’t accepted Jesus into your life, what are you waiting for? Today is the day to accept the Lord, for tomorrow may be too late. Simply pray and ask for forgiveness of your sins, and then begin to live your life for Him. That way you will counted as a good seed, not a tare.
