Lesson 2: Weeds and Wheat

 (Discernment in Growth)

Matthew 13:24–30
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away…”

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In this lesson, we focus on discernment. Specifically, being able to recognize what God is growing in your life versus what God is leading you to pull out of your life.

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the weeds (tares). The wheat represents what is good, fruitful, and planted by God. The weeds, on the other hand, represent what was planted by the enemy.

The challenge? The weeds look similar to the wheat. But they are ultimately destructive, distracting, and draining.

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Be Watchful in Growth

In our journey of growth, we too often hold on to things that should be removed.
Other times, we are tempted to walk away from the very things God is using to grow and develop us.

The danger of holding on to the wrong things is that they can choke and kill what was meant to be a blessing in your life. Jesus teaches us to let both grow together; but, not without discernment. We are called to watch carefully, recognizing which is which. Even though wheat and weeds are allowed to grow together, they are not meant to grow unmonitored.

Still the presence of weeds doesn’t mean we ignore them. We should never allow them to grow untamed and unworked. It is like your garden; you go in periodically to remove the weeds. Some do this to maintain the beauty of the garden. Others do it, because they understand that the untamed weeds will take over and produce unwanted results.

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Evaluate Your Life

I encourage you to take time to reflect. Evaluate your habits, thoughts, relationships, and attitudes. In this moment determine what are the weeds that need to be removed; and what is the wheat that must be nurtured and cultivated.

If there are areas in your life that God has planted: areas you’ve been neglecting, doubting, or mistaking for something harmful now is the time to give them attention.

Don’t uproot what God has planted just because it feels uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or requires discipline and patience.

Hebrews 12:11

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

If you allow this uncomfortable and unfamiliar moment to train you, properly, you will find there is a harvest and reward that will come from it.

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Confront What’s Draining You

On the flip side, be mindful of what’s choking your spiritual growth. Even if it feels comfortable, familiar, or pleasant, if it’s draining your faith and spirit, it may be a weed.

Discernment is key in this season. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you the difference between what looks good and what is good, reveal what is feeding your spirit versus what is draining it, and strengthen your confidence to confront and release what’s not from Him

In this season, let your spiritual eyes be open. This is a season to protect what God has planted and pull out what the enemy has sown. The harvest is coming. Let nothing choke it out.