Matthew 13:25

Wednesday, 1 October 2025

 

but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. Matthew 13:25

 

“And in the ‘sleeps the men,’ he came, his enemy, and he sowed darnel in between the wheat, and he went away” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus began the parable of the wheat and the darnel. He continues now, saying, “And in the ‘sleeps the men,’”

 

Fields are not normally things that get attacked. In daily life, people go out to their fields, come in, and eventually go to bed. Guards are not posted, and there are usually no walls or fences around agricultural fields unless it is an area which necessitates it.

 

In this case, while those who work in the field were sleeping, Jesus continues with, “he came, his enemy, and he sowed darnel in between the wheat, and he went away.”

 

A new word, zizanion, darnel, is introduced. It refers to a poisonous rye grass that closely resembles wheat as it sprouts out of the earth. It is used figuratively when speaking of false believers who spring up among those who truly believe.

 

The man had an enemy who disliked him enough to actually go in and cause him grief. But in this world, there are all kinds of people who are willing to harm others simply because they have a personal beef with them. This is not unheard of in the Bible. Though the reasons are given, what occurred between Absalom and Joab shows that a person’s crops can be a target between those who disagree at times –

 

“And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face. 29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come. 30 So he said to his servants, ‘See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.’ And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom’s house, and said to him, ‘Why have your servants set my field on fire?’” 2 Samuel 14:28-31

 

Life application: Jesus’ words could be considered from many different angles. We could apply them to our work environment, our family life, our church, etc. When we are being productive in a particular area, it is to be expected that there is someone lurking in the distance who will want to tear what we do apart.

 

For example, in the United States, there is a constitution that provides certain guarantees for the citizens of the nation. The people of the nation have taken these rights for granted and have been inattentive to those who hate the freedoms we possess. Many of these enemies are right within our borders, and they have crept into all levels of government, even to the presidency.

 

While the people of the nation slept through times of prosperity and abundance, the enemy has been planting seeds of discord, immorality, and un-American ideals throughout our school systems. Now, instead of a good crop of sound-minded, freedom-loving Americans, we are faced with entire populations of people who actively hate the prosperity they participate in.

 

They hate the rights granted by the Constitution because these rights take away the opportunity for societal control that they desire, and which has been instilled in them by the enemies of freedom.

 

This happens in churches as well. It is so prevalent that there are ministries dedicated to getting people out of churches that steal away the freedoms found in the Bible in order to control their followers. For example, Ministry Watch published an article entitled, Ministry Helps Christians Escape ‘High-Control’ Churches.

 

High control over churchgoers is one of the surest ways to keep followers giving lots of money and effort to a church. When a church teaches people that one’s salvation must continue to be earned after it has been received, the people find themselves in a state of bondage never taught in Scripture.

 

However, it is the most common of all teachings. It permeates Roman Catholic doctrine. It is awash in Adventism, it overflows in Holiness churches, etc. Even in churches where grace is taught, there are often subtle undertones of implied necessity to do things, such as tithing.

 

Why are people bound in such situations? In America, it is because the people put too much trust in their leaders and do not take the time to understand the source of their freedoms, meaning knowing what the Constitution says and what the founders wrote about its precepts.

 

In the church, people likewise put too much trust in spiritual authorities. Instead of reading the Bible and understanding its precepts, they allow those who work in the darkness, meaning their ignorance, to destroy the good crop that they are entitled to.

 

Be on the lookout by knowing what the source says, be it the US Constitution for political matters or the Bible for your spiritual walk. Don’t let the wicked people of the world deprive you of your rightful heritage!

 

Lord God, we have a religion that is founded on the greatest work of all, that of Jesus Christ. It is a religion of faith in what He has done. May we not squander our right to this by listening to others who would rob us of this precious freedom in one of so many ways. Help us to know and rightly apply the word to our walk before You! Amen.