The parable of the wheat and tares can be found in Matthew 13. The key verse in this parable is verse 25
…but while men slept…
there are several references in scripture to God’s people sleeping when they ought to be watching. The analogy in agriculture of course allows for a proper rest of sleep at the end of the day…its spiritual application, and in this particular parable with regards the gospel, does not allow for sleeping when the important matters of salvation and care for God’s redeemed church are paramount. The parable of the ten virgins springs to mind; Jesus’ warning in Mark 13:35-37 that His people not sleep when they ought to be watching for His coming; the disciples in the garden; Paul’s admonitions in Romans 13:11 and 1Thessalonians 5:6. The counsel being that we ought always be alert to dangers that could threaten the well being and health of the church.
….his enemy came…
traditionally the enemy referenced here is thought to be the devil. Although such a line of reasoning is quite appropriate, because the word used, ἐχθρός echthros, is very similar in meaning to 'enmity' as used in Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is ‘enmity’ ἔχθρα echthra with God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, one could quite reasonably apply the word ‘enemy’ to anyone who has entered the church but has not fully forsaken sin and the carnal nature, and thus at ‘enmity’ with God. Such a ‘tare’
working in amongst God’s people could wreak havoc if allowed to continue without restraint, counsel, or censure. More on that later
...sowed tares among the wheat…a professed Christian who is living a lie, living according to his fleshly nature, and with unforsaken sin in his life, or perhaps false doctrinal understanding, may bring discord, strife, and compromise to the high standards required of a people sanctified and set apart for the gospel. Such people may remain hidden for some time, disguised as they are and accepted as genuine disciples. Some may even be elevated to positions of influence in the church as elders and/or teachers. In such a position a false teacher may well sow other tares.
...and went his way…Once a farmer sows seed, he doesn't need to do much more. He merely relies on nature to take its course. Thus anyone may come and go in the community of believers leaving behind them a well established mixed garden he need have no further business with. Those he leaves in his wake are well capable of continuing the problems he has generated. In forums these are called 'trolls'. They come and go and when they have done sufficient damage, they leave. While the more mature plants may not be affected, we do not know the influence they may have on younger members. I would not entirely recommend new Christians to make a habit of visiting forums until such time as they are settled in the faith, because of the nature of the beast, there are serious limitations the administrators can take in dealing with such problems. I have been on forums where for new members, restrictions were applied in that they could not access some discussions where matters could get heated or controversial, but does 100 posts, for example, eliminate the dangers?
The question therefore remains, "what do we do to prevent such a thing taking place in our own churches." The simple answer is, stay awake. And although in the parable Jesus advised that such tares, once established ought not be uprooted, to the observant pastor there must surely be signs of trouble manifesting in certain individuals lives and by remaining alert may be able to minimize the damage that may result from unguided or unrestrained influence among the other members. So is disfellowshipping a viable option for those who clearly are not in sync with church beliefs, church constitution, or acceptable behaviour, in light of the above parable? Perhaps not, unless the behaviour is clearly unacceptable and there are no signs of repentance or change.
The other important lesson from this parable lies in the context of harvest. Jesus stated that His angels will gather the tares first, be bundled up and burnt, leaving the wheat to be gathered into God’s presence. This flies in the face of the common belief of a rapture of God’s people prior to a time of tribulation, leaving the wicked to go through the crisis of the final plagues while all Christians are safe in heaven. No such hint of this scenario can be taken from the parable. The order is clear. Tares first, wheat last. This is in harmony with how God has previously dealt with sinful man, in separating such from His own people. Both in the great flood where Noah were witnesses to the destruction of the earth, and in Sodom and Gomorrah where Lot witnessed the destruction of the cities, the fate of the wicked was laid bare before witnesses that the justice and mercy of God would be made plain. The same scenario to an even greater extent can be found in the plagues that scourged Egypt prior to Israel’s escape from slavery. In all cases the redeemed people of God remained, were protected, while the wicked were the ones removed, or ‘taken away’. See also Luke 17:34-37.
…but while men slept…
there are several references in scripture to God’s people sleeping when they ought to be watching. The analogy in agriculture of course allows for a proper rest of sleep at the end of the day…its spiritual application, and in this particular parable with regards the gospel, does not allow for sleeping when the important matters of salvation and care for God’s redeemed church are paramount. The parable of the ten virgins springs to mind; Jesus’ warning in Mark 13:35-37 that His people not sleep when they ought to be watching for His coming; the disciples in the garden; Paul’s admonitions in Romans 13:11 and 1Thessalonians 5:6. The counsel being that we ought always be alert to dangers that could threaten the well being and health of the church.
….his enemy came…
traditionally the enemy referenced here is thought to be the devil. Although such a line of reasoning is quite appropriate, because the word used, ἐχθρός echthros, is very similar in meaning to 'enmity' as used in Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is ‘enmity’ ἔχθρα echthra with God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, one could quite reasonably apply the word ‘enemy’ to anyone who has entered the church but has not fully forsaken sin and the carnal nature, and thus at ‘enmity’ with God. Such a ‘tare’
working in amongst God’s people could wreak havoc if allowed to continue without restraint, counsel, or censure. More on that later
...sowed tares among the wheat…a professed Christian who is living a lie, living according to his fleshly nature, and with unforsaken sin in his life, or perhaps false doctrinal understanding, may bring discord, strife, and compromise to the high standards required of a people sanctified and set apart for the gospel. Such people may remain hidden for some time, disguised as they are and accepted as genuine disciples. Some may even be elevated to positions of influence in the church as elders and/or teachers. In such a position a false teacher may well sow other tares.
...and went his way…Once a farmer sows seed, he doesn't need to do much more. He merely relies on nature to take its course. Thus anyone may come and go in the community of believers leaving behind them a well established mixed garden he need have no further business with. Those he leaves in his wake are well capable of continuing the problems he has generated. In forums these are called 'trolls'. They come and go and when they have done sufficient damage, they leave. While the more mature plants may not be affected, we do not know the influence they may have on younger members. I would not entirely recommend new Christians to make a habit of visiting forums until such time as they are settled in the faith, because of the nature of the beast, there are serious limitations the administrators can take in dealing with such problems. I have been on forums where for new members, restrictions were applied in that they could not access some discussions where matters could get heated or controversial, but does 100 posts, for example, eliminate the dangers?
The question therefore remains, "what do we do to prevent such a thing taking place in our own churches." The simple answer is, stay awake. And although in the parable Jesus advised that such tares, once established ought not be uprooted, to the observant pastor there must surely be signs of trouble manifesting in certain individuals lives and by remaining alert may be able to minimize the damage that may result from unguided or unrestrained influence among the other members. So is disfellowshipping a viable option for those who clearly are not in sync with church beliefs, church constitution, or acceptable behaviour, in light of the above parable? Perhaps not, unless the behaviour is clearly unacceptable and there are no signs of repentance or change.
The other important lesson from this parable lies in the context of harvest. Jesus stated that His angels will gather the tares first, be bundled up and burnt, leaving the wheat to be gathered into God’s presence. This flies in the face of the common belief of a rapture of God’s people prior to a time of tribulation, leaving the wicked to go through the crisis of the final plagues while all Christians are safe in heaven. No such hint of this scenario can be taken from the parable. The order is clear. Tares first, wheat last. This is in harmony with how God has previously dealt with sinful man, in separating such from His own people. Both in the great flood where Noah were witnesses to the destruction of the earth, and in Sodom and Gomorrah where Lot witnessed the destruction of the cities, the fate of the wicked was laid bare before witnesses that the justice and mercy of God would be made plain. The same scenario to an even greater extent can be found in the plagues that scourged Egypt prior to Israel’s escape from slavery. In all cases the redeemed people of God remained, were protected, while the wicked were the ones removed, or ‘taken away’. See also Luke 17:34-37.
