The Tribune

By Evangelist Teresa Dorsett

THE dictionary defines tare as “a grass that flourishes or bountifully grows in wheat fields, and is difficult to distinguish between the two until after the harvest when the wheat and tare are sieved through and the true grain is then exposed, which is the wheat, the tares are then gathered and burned.”

Note also, the tare plant is poisonous if eaten and because it cannot be distinguished from the wheat, can cause serious side effects for those who partake of it.

The Word of God speaks of this in Matthew 13:24-30: “The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a man which sowed seen in his field, but while the men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, wilt thou then, that we go and gather them up? But he said nay, lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them, let them both grow together until the harvest and in the time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, bind them in bundles to burn, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

In verse 25, it says while the men slept, the enemy sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.

This is evidently true, because the enemy, who is Satan, has crept into our churches because pastors are seemingly in a state of spiritual slumber and have set up tares among the wheat. These “tares”, or individuals, are flourishing in God’s house, allowed positions of leadership in all areas of ministry where they carry out (because of the wickedness of their heart) Satan’s work, and God’s true saints are being pushed aside. Their influence is like poison, and those ignorant to their devices are drawn into a web of deception, condemning their own soul.

Note this, my friend, if Christ were to come and you be found in that state because you allowed negative influence from these individuals to infiltrate your life and have walked in disobedience, strife, hatred, back-biting, what should your end be? The Word admonishes us to guard our hearts with all diligence.

Just as the tare plant hides itself among the wheat in the field and grows bountifully there undetected until the appointed time, these persons hide themselves among the true people of God, where then is the fruit of love; it is nonexistent, joy peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. The truth is now revealed and their fruit manifested which is adultery, fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying and such the like. And just as the tare plant is separated from the true and burned, so then these individuals are reserved to judgment on that day.

The time is come that the Church awake out of its slumber and arise to shine as a light in a dark perverse world, weeding out the wickedness that has infiltrated our walls, and that which Satan has broken down, seek to build again, contending for the faith which was delivered to the saints by Christ Jesus our Lord.

• If you need prayers and counselling, call Southwest Cathedral Church of God, on Shrimp and Carmichael Roads. Ask for Pastor Donnie Storr; telephone number (242)341-0356