Third Blog - Seeds and Weeds

 

In the Book of Matthew chapter 13 Jesus spoke parables and intreprets them for His disciples. Let's review the two parables in this chapter regarding the sowing of seed. 

In one of the two parables, Jesus spoke of a sower that planted seeds and where some of the seeds fell and what the results were (Mat.13:1-9).This parable speaks about the condition of  four types of soil in a field that was being sown with seed. 

1. The wayside - Is the immediate edge of a prepared section of the field that is  not meant for planting seeds but seeds fell there during planting (Mat. 13:4).
2. Stoney places - Are the areas usually just beyond the wayside (Mat. 13:5). 
3. Among thorns - Seeds that are sowed among thorns are choked as the thorns grow and inhibit their growth (Mat. 13:7).
4. Into good ground - Is ground that is properly cultivated and ready for planting (Mat. 13:8).

The Parable of the Sower Explained

At the way side a person(s)  hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it. The devil then comes and takes away the seed that was sown in the person(s) heart (Mat. 13:19).

The person(s) that receive the word in stony places, are like those same person(s) at the way side that hear the word, but they immediately receive it with joy (Mat. 13:20) but have not rooted and hang in there awhile. but when tribulation or persecution comes as it always does with the proclamation of the word they are offended and fall away. 

This reminds me of the character Pliable who  right after hearing about the Celestial City receives the news with joy in the story "The Pilgrims Progress" and then becomes offended by a difficulty at the beginning of his pilgrimage and fell away missing his chance at salvation. Great book by John Bunyan I encourage you to read it.

A person(s) that receives the word among the thorns is also the same as the person(s) at the stony places  that hear the word and receive with joy, but the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of its riches are more appealing. This chokes the word and that person(s) becomes unfruitful (Mat. 13:22).

The person(s) that receives seed into the good ground are they that hear the word, and understand it; which also bareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty (Mat. 13:23). 

As you will see in Jesus' next parable about the tares (weeds) they can grow in good soil too. This is why the diligence and discernment of believers is so important.

Now for the thorns. In this parable Jesus does not specifically say the location of the thorns. In the next parable about the tares (weeds) He does. We find that tares (weeds) can be found in fruitful soil. 

The Parable of the Tares (weeds)

Jesus said; the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a man that sowed good seed in his field: (Mat. 13:24).

But while men slept, the man's enemy came and planted tares (weeds) among the wheat, and went away. (Mat 13:25)

When the wheat sprung up, and started to bear fruit, tares (weeds) were also found among the wheat. (Mat 13:26)

The servants came to him and questioned the quality of the seed provided for sowing  because tares (weeds) were growing along with the wheat. They asked him why the crop had tares (weeds) (Mat. 13:27)? 

He told the servants that an enemy had done it. The servants then asked him if they should gather up the tares (Mat.13:28). 

The man said, No; while your gathering up the tares (weeds) you will destroy some of the wheat with them (Mat. 13:29).

Then he told the servants to let both the wheat and tares (weeds) grow together until the harvest: and at the time of harvest to instruct the reapers to gather up the tares (weeds) first and to tie them into bundles and burn them and to put the wheat into his barn (Mat. 13:30). 

The Parable of the Tares (weeds) Explained

Jesus' disciples came to him and asked him to explain the parable to them (Mat. 13:36). 

The Lord  answered them and said, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man (Jesus) (Mat. 13:37); 

The field is this world; and the good seed are the children (believers) of the kingdom; but the tares (weeds) are the children of the wicked one (the devil) (Mat. 13 38); 

The enemy that planted the tares (weeds) is the devil; and the harvest is the end of this world; and the reapers are the angels (Mat 13:39). 

The tares will be gathered and burned in the fire; this will occur at the end time of this world (Mat 13:40). 

The Son of man (Jesus) will send his angels to gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those purposely do iniquity (sin) (Mat. 13:41); 

The angels will throw all of  them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing (loud cries) and gnashing (grinding) of teeth (Mat. 13:42). 

Then shall the righteous (believers) shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear (Mat. 13:43). 

What and Who

Here is a list of 88 sins with scripture references provided by True Discipleship Blog https://truediscipleship.com Check it out and see how you compare. This is a good list for discussion.

 Adultery—Matthew 5:27-28, 32; 19:9, 18; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Mark 7:21; John 8:1-11

Anger—Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 4:26, 31; 6:4; Colossians 3:8; James 1:19-20

Anger with one’s brother—Matthew 5:22

Arrogance—2 Timothy 3:2; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 2 Timothy 3:2; 1 Corinthians 4:6, 18,19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4

Bitterness—Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; Romans 2:24; 3:14; Acts 8:23; James 2:7

Blasphemy—Mark 8:38; Acts 18:6

Boasting—Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Galatians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 5:6

Brutality—2 Timothy 3:3

Brother going to Law against brother—1 Corinthians 6:1-7

Carousing—Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; 1 Peter 4:3

Clamor—Ephesians 4:31

Complaining—Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:9; James 5:9

Conceit—2 Timothy 3:4

Coveting—Mark 7:22; Ephesians 5:5; Acts 20:33; Romans 13:9; 1 Corinthians 5:10-11; 6:1

Cowardice—Revelation 21:8

Deceit—Mark 7:22; Acts 13:10; Romans 1:29; 1 Peter 3:10

Defrauding—1 Corinthians 6:7-8

Denying Christ—Matthew 10:33; Luke 12:9; 1 John 2:22-23

Desiring praise of men—John 12:43

Disobedience to parents—Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Titus 3:3

Divisions—1 Corinthians 1:10

Divorce—Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18

Drinking parties—1 Peter 4:3

Drunkenness—Romans 13:13; 15: 13; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:3

Eating the Bread or drinking the Cup unworthily—1 Corinthians 11:27

Effeminacy—1 Corinthians 6:9

Enmities—Galatians 5:20

Envy—Mark 7:22; Galatians 5:26; Titus 3:3

Evil thoughts—Mark 7:21; Matthew 15:19

False witnessing—Matthew 15:19

Fathers, provoking children to wrath—Colossians 3:21

Fearfulness—Matthew 10:26, 28

Filthiness—Ephesians 4:3

Fleshliness–1 Corinthians 3:3

Foolishness—Mark 7:22; Titus 3:3

Foolish talking—Ephesians 5:4

Fornication (or sexual immorality)—Mark 7:21; Matthew 15:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19

Greed—Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; 2 Peter 2:14

Lust, lusting—1 Peter 4:3; Titus 3:3

Haters of God—Romans 1:30

Hatred—2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:3

Homosexuality—1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; Romans 1:26-27

Hypocrisy—Matthew 23:13,23, 25; 23, 27,28, 29; Mark 12:15; Luke 12:1; Romans 12:9

Idolatry—1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9; Galatians 5:20; Revelations 21:8; Ephesians 5:5

Immorality (see also Fornication)—Galatians 5:19; Revelation 21:8; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 6:13, 18

Impurity—Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5: 3, 5

Jealousy—Galatians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; James 3:16

Jesting—Ephesians 5:4

Judging—Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1; 14:13; Luke 6:37 James 4:11

Knowing to do good but not doing it—James 4:17

Laying up treasures on earth—Matthew 6:19-21; 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Luke 12:21, 33; 18:22

Legal matters, court–1 Corinthians 6:1-6

Living for pleasure—2 Timothy 3:4

Lovers of self—2 Timothy 3:2

Loving another person more than Jesus—Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26

Lusting after a woman—Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Peter 4:3; Matthew 18:9

Lying—Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15; Ephesians 4:25; Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Galatians 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:7

Malice—Romans 1:29; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 5:8; Titus 3:3; 2 Peter 2:1

Man praying or prophesying with head covered—1 Corinthians 11:4-16

Murder—Revelation 21:8; Mark 7:21; 5:21; 10: 19; 19:18; Luke 18:20; Romans 1:29; 1 Peter 3:15; 4:15; Matthew 15:19

Murmuring, complaining—Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter  4:9; James 5:9

Pride—Mark 7:22; 1 Peter 5:5, 6; James 4:6; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18;14

Prostitution–1 Corinthians 615-16

Quarrels—James 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 2 Timothy 2:23

Reviling—1 Corinthians 4:17; 5:11; 6:10; 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:2; 1 Peter 2:23

Sensuality—Galatians 5:19; Mark 7:22; Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:21; 1 Peter 4:3; Ephesians 4:19; 2 Peter 2:2

Slander—Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:22; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Romans 1:30

Sorcery—Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8, 15; 9:21; 18:23

Speaking against the Holy Spirit—Matthew 12:32; Luke 12:10

Stealing—Ephesians 4:28; 13:9; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 2:21; 13:9

Strife, quarreling—Galatians 5:20; Romans 1:29; 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Timothy 6:4

Swearing an oath—Matthew 6:34-37; James 5:12

Swindling—1 Corinthians 5:10-11; 6:10

Thievery, theft—1 Corinthians 6:10; Mark 7:21; John 10:1, 8; 1 Peter 4:15; Matthew 15:19

Treachery—2 Timothy 3:4

Unbelief, lack of faith—James 1:6; Mark 9:24; Hebrews 3:12, 19; 1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 7:13; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Titus 1:15; Revelation 21:8

Unforgiveness—Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26

Ungodliness—Romans 1:18; 4:5; 5:6; 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 2:12; 2 Peter 2:5, 6, 7

Ungratefulness—2 Tmothy 3:2; Romans 1:21; Luke 6:35; 2 Timothy 3:2

Unholiness—2 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 12:14

Unrighteousness—Romans 1:18, 29; 2:8; 6:13; 1 John 1:9; 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:9

Wickedness—Mark 7:22; Luke 11:39; Acts 8:22; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:8, 13; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12; 2 Timothy 2:19

Woman cutting her hair short—1 Corinthians 1:14-15

Woman with her Head uncovered—1 Corinthians 11:5-16

Woman speaking or teaching in public—1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 11:33-37

Wrath—Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 1 Timothy 2:8

Wrong–1 Corinthians 6:8

Please consider this as food for thought. May God Bless you and yours.

Dennis