The Parable of the Weeds might not be the first parable that comes to mind in the many lessons Jesus taught through stories. Yet, it has an important lesson to teach Christians, especially as we live in a broken world. If you’ve ever struggled with why God won’t remove evil people from your community or punish them immediately, this story is for you. Instead, Jesus explains how to live alongside evil and remain righteous as you walk with Him.
In the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus tells a story of a farmer who sowed seed in his field, and then his enemy planted weeds in the night so that both the wheat and the weeds grew side by side. His servants offer to pull the weeds, but he tells them that pulling the weeds might harm the wheat too, so they should wait for harvest when the wheat can be separated from the weeds and the weeds could be burned. Jesus later explains the parable. The wheat represents righteous people, and the weeds represent evil people. The sower is Christ, and the weeds will finally be separated from the wheat on judgment day. These are a few lessons we can take away from this parable.
The Righteous Are Ready for Judgment By Knowing They’re Wheat
Are you saved? If you’re not sure, this parable gives good motivation to spend some time reflecting on the state of your soul. If you don’t know your eternal destination, the Bible clearly explains how you can be right with God. When you repent of your sinful ways, ask for the forgiveness of Christ, accept His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead, and proclaim Him as Savior and Lord, He promises you will be called righteous.
The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:13 that you can know that you have eternal life. John says, “I write to those who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” The only assurance you need is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through repentance and faith. If you have doubts, you’re not alone. But if you’re looking for evidence, you can look for the fruit of the Spirit in your life. The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. If you desire to obey the Lord and these characteristics are present in your life, the Holy Spirit is undoubtedly within you.
Assurance of salvation comes through repentance and faith in Christ alone. True salvation always produces fruit, but you cannot produce good works hoping they will lead to eternal life. That will lead you into an unbiblical works-based attempt at salvation which isn’t necessary because God offers His grace freely.
The Righteous Don’t Fret Because They Let God Take Care of Business
Sometimes it’s challenging to contend with the reality that the wheat and the weeds grow together, but God knows, and He will take care of it, so we don’t have to fret. Likewise, we don’t need to worry about determining who all the weeds are. God will take care of them in His timing like He always has.
You may not like this, but don’t let the discomfort cause sinful behavior. You can defend those who are taken advantage of by the evil in this world, but evil will remain even when God uses us to destroy it. This is one of the critical points of this parable. We cannot fall into despair because evil exists, and false brethren are among true believers. Nor can we constantly worry that this evil age is going to win. The Bible is clear that this will not happen. Judgment is coming, and God will pour His wrath on the wicked in due time. When He decrees, He will bring an end to this evil age. The question until then is, do you trust Him in the meantime?
God’s Word can pick you back up when the world’s brokenness gets you down. God’s got it all under control. He is sovereign. Read His promises to remember what’s true and stand up for what you believe in. The weeds are growing alongside you, but you can still push them back with the hope of the gospel!
The Righteous Don’t Judge, Because Wheat Takes Time to Grow
The desire to call out every weed in the church does not come from obedience to Christ because it often causes judgemental, harsh, and graceless conduct. You must be careful not to judge because sometimes fruit takes time to grow in people’s lives. Just because you can’t see it immediately doesn’t mean it’s not there. The fruit in you took time to grow into maturity, so you need to give others that same grace.
It’s not your job to scan each person for good soil so that you can only place the seeds of the gospel there. Instead, you should be sowing seed wherever you go with whomever you meet. You can be a fruit inspector, but you’re nobody’s judge. Matthew 7:1,3 says, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged for in the way you judge, you will be judged…Why do you look at the speck that’s in your brother’s eye, but you don’t see the log in your own eye?” It’s impossible to tell the difference between the weed and the wheat until they are almost to maturity. Unfortunately, some of us in the church never have the spiritual eyes to see the difference.
There are times when it is essential to address sin. Sometimes someone is struggling with sin, and the church leadership must address that believer’s life through church discipline. However, Matthew 18 gives clear directions on correcting fellow believers with mercy, long-suffering, and love so they can be restored to their church family. The Bible does not ever warrant theological vigilantes administering discipline on who they think are the weeds. Do not read this parable and misapply it – this passage says that God is the judge, not you.
The Righteous Rejoice that We Will Shine with Jesus for Eternity
The righteous will receive their reward. The Bible says that believers will shine forth as the sun. We all struggle a little bit with the evil in the world, but we can also rejoice that one day God will take care of business Himself. We all struggle with despair sometimes, but we know that one day there will be no more despair, tears, or death. We will dwell with Christ in satisfaction forever. Sometimes, we struggle with loneliness, but we can have joy because God is with us and will be with us all of eternity.
One day you’ll be gathered around the throne with countless numbers of other believers together and one accord singing His praises together! That is the hope we cling to when the enemy sows seeds of doubt.
Next Steps
This parable only leaves room for two categories of people. Jesus only describes weeds or wheat. Those are the only categories available to you: believers or unbelievers. There are eternal, significant consequences for both. How you respond to the gospel will separate you from being a weed versus wheat. Do you know which category you are in? If not, there’s no better time to surrender your life to the Lord. The hope of the gospel can wash away despair, and the fruit of the Spirit will radiate from you as you grow in your relationship with God. Jesus is waiting with open arms for you to come to Him, so don’t wait!
