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. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, ‘Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?’ He said unto them, ‘An enemy hath done this.'”
-Matthew 13:24-28a, KJV (quotation marks and red lettering added)
Spiritual Principle:
A good option is often preceded or followed by a bad option.
It was uncanny how my circumstances followed this principle. Something good would happen then something bad would follow. Or conversely, something bad happened then it was followed by a good answer to prayer.
Months of silence and inaction would soon be filled with multiple job options.
It seems that if Satan could not hold back God’s plans, then he would try to confuse or discourage me with bad news or less than optimal options.
Satan sows tares.
I write this to encourage you and help you not be confused. It is no good being ignorant of the spiritual warfare at work in your life (see 2 Cor. 2:11).
Satan wants to steal your joy and destroy you (see John 10:10).
This parable from Matthew is about people and teachings that look good but are not. The same idea can be applied to those things sown among the truly good news God gives you. Test it with time looking at its “fruit.”
And do not lose heart!
Finally, be prepared and do not be surprise if Satan sows some “tares” into you life as well.
