After Jesus gave several parables “His disciples came to Him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field’” (Matthew 13:36). First, note the history of the tares. They were sown among the wheat by the devil, the enemy of God. Second, note the identity of the tares. They are “the sons of the wicked one.” Third, note the destiny of the tares. They will be gathered by angels, bundled, and burned in a furnace of fire, unlike “the righteous who will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” You will find these details and more when your read the story in Matthew 13:24-30 and the summary in Matthew 13:36-43. Here are three lessons that will help you to apply this parable to your life.

Don’t be misled by fine imitations. Just because you cannot tell the difference between wheat and tares at one point does not mean there is no difference between them. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 reads, “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” When someone abandons their profession of faith remember this solemn verse recorded in 1 John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”

Don’t be misled by false impressions. There will be hypocrites. Don’t let them keep you from being a genuine Christian. Galatians 6:3 reads, “For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” In 2 Timothy 3:13 we are warned about those who go about “deceiving and being deceived.”

Don’t be misled by futile imaginations. Beware lest you live in the land of make believe in your spiritual life. Many have dangerous futile imaginations in their darkened foolish hearts (Romans 1:21). Someone said, “If the Bible calls it a sin, your opinion doesn’t matter.” Along these lines C. S. Lewis writes, “We have a strange illusion that mere time cancels sin. But mere time does nothing either to the fact or to the guilt of a sin.” As Adrian Rogers said, “Your sins will be pardoned in Christ or punished in Hell, but they will never be overlooked.” Make sure you are saved from sin by trusting in the finished work of Jesus at Calvary for your salvation.

There will be a harvest and the laws of the harvest are in effect. Galatians 6:7 reads, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Humanity will be divided into two categories, namely, the wheat and the tares. Where do you stand? Where you stand in time determines where you stand in eternity.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.