The Wheat and the Tares with Todd Tomasella and Frank Telford

by Frank Telford

Matt 13:24-30

What we find in this parable is there is a group of people who are woven into the church who are not sincere. They are not true followers of Christ. They are sown into the church to cause strife and distract the real members from moving forward in their walk with God. You can find them all over Facebook and in the local church. We can identify them because the fruit they bear is not of God. They teach false messages and are usually very argumentative. It’s difficult to understand who is who because a tare looks just like the wheat. But a tare does not produce good fruit. They cause division instead. The reason God did not have them removed was He didn’t want those young in the faith who do not know the difference yet to follow them out. That is another thing the tares do. They try their best to corrupt the innocent. They are spiritual child abusers that guide them away from Christ instead of pointing them to Him.

If you are experiencing feelings of discouragement because of all the infighting in the church don’t let that ever stop you from shining your light. I often hear some good-hearted Christians say they want to leave Facebook or their local church because of these fake Christians stirring up trouble and that’s exactly what they want you to do. Take out the good fruit and the innocent are left undefended. Do not allow yourself to fall for this deception, rather expose it. Let the adversity make you more bold than ever. Not to fight with people being foolish because that will make you just like them. Instead, preach the gospel and make disciples just like you are commissioned to do. Avoid those causing division and have nothing to do with them. Remember you are in a race of endurance and it takes great perseverance to finish the race. Run that race to win and don’t focus on the opponents. Keep your eyes on the prize and never give up.