“But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.” – Matthew 13:29
REFERENCE:
This parable is one of Jesus’ most powerful. The lessons therein are many, but I will focus on ‘prudence.’ Prudence is the ability to manage circumstances with care and thoughtfulness. It is being careful to consider all possible dangers or consequences in a situation. The man in this parable planted good seed (wheat) in his field, and while men slept (became careless and relaxed), his enemy came and sowed tares (some stubborn weed). The wheat, as well as the weed, sprang up. The man’s servants wanted to pluck them up but he told them that if they did, they would damage the wheat also. At harvest, the separation would be easier.
It is baffling when you know you do everything right, but you keep getting the wrong results. That was the case with these servants; ‘we sowed good seeds; why are there tares?’ As seen in the parable, it is because there is an adversary who strikes in our times of neglect to destroy our good efforts. We often sow good seeds – do good deeds or start good ventures, but we soon relax and become careless; we stop praying, nurturing, and serving God. It is at such times the devil wreaks havoc. Therefore, you must not lose guard because the enemy wants your good beginning to have a bad ending. Consistently water your ‘seeds,’ watch over them, pray for them, nurture them and jealously protect them. This is why prudence is needed.
Prudence says, “Be alert in your spirit, know that we are in a warfare, and there is an enemy.” It will put you a step ahead of the enemy and help you protect yourself against the unforeseen. Prudence helps you to discern what is of God and what is of the devil so that you can engage wisely; the master said, “An enemy has done this.” Lastly, prudence helps you manage bad events for the best outcomes when the enemy has sown tares among your wheat. Learn to separate good from evil and to act so as not to jeopardize the good you have done or built over the years.
Learn satan’s strategy against all kingdom projects or people. He sows bad seeds in the middle of your good – offense in a relationship, a difficult person in the place of your blessing, a tiring roommate, an irritating issue in an otherwise good marriage, etc. Don’t get distracted by tares growing in your field; keep your eyes on the harvest day. Good will prevail over evil, you will harvest your wheat, and every tare will be gathered and burnt, in Jesus’ name.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
I Corinthians 16:13, Proverbs 27:12, Proverbs 14:15 & Psalm 121:7-8
CONFESSION:
I will be alert to nurture, protect and pray for every good thing God is doing in my life. I refuse to let the enemy sow tares because of my carelessness. I am prudent; I manage my affairs with the wisdom of God; therefore, I will end better than I started. My good deeds and good seeds will not be lost; I will reap their harvest, and satan’s plantings will be destroyed, in Jesus’ name.
My eyes are blessed to see and ears to hear.
Father I, I ask for the wisdom and grace to keep my eyes on harvest day and not get distracted by the tares for good will always prevail over evil..
Amen and Amen!
Years of good can be jeopardized in a moment because of a wrong reaction to tares. Prudence is key. Listening to the Holy Spirit is key. Thank God for the Holy Spirit.
Lord, I ask for the practical wisdom to know how to engage effectively and productively in all situations. I receive the prudence to not allow the enemy spoil my good with evil, in Jesus’ name.