Biblical Reflections · Christian Life

While we sleep, does the evil one come and sow weeds?

4 min read, approximately

Matthew 13:24-26
“He told them another parable, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while the men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. When the plants came up and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.”

After a hard day’s work, all we want is sleep. However, the ‘sleeping’ we are discussing today means ceasing to do what we clearly ought to do because of discouragement, annoyance, failing to give it the importance it deserves, or simply laziness.
A child of God must be sober and watchful in the work they do. They cannot be careless, much less lazy, especially knowing that

“… the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, listening to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

Our salvation is at stake! We must hold on to what we have been given with fear and trembling! We are responsible for our actions; therefore,

“Behold, I am coming soon; hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.” (Revelation 3:11)

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who produces in you both the desire and the action, according to his good will.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

This is not a game

“Be sober and watchful, for your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

It does us no good to be hearers and not doers

“But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

For example, a child of God belongs to a

“chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired by God, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Then,

• Are we children of God?
• Are we proclaiming the virtues of the one who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light?
• Are we sleeping?
• Aren’t we supposed to proclaim God’s greatness? “For I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Magnify our God.” (Deuteronomy 32:3)?
• What is the reason for not sharing the Lord’s Word with others?
• Would we share God’s Word with someone who has hurt us?
• Bitterness?
• Annoyance?
• Rage?
• Have weeds been sown in our hearts?
• Was it while we were sleeping?

“Take care that no one fails to receive God’s grace, and that no root of bitterness springs up to hinder you and defile many through it.” (Hebrews 12:15)

Is our salvation in crisis?

If we are children of God, then laziness is not our virtue! Did we not know that

“If you are slack on the day of work, your strength will be diminished.” (Proverbs 24:10)?

“Through laziness the roof collapses, and through idle hands the house leaks.” (Ecclesiastes 10:18)

Therefore,

“Keep watch, then, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, whether in the evening, at midnight, at the rooster’s crow, or in the morning, lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch.” (Matthew 13:35-37)

How is our discernment?

Many sheep who should be attending to the affairs of the kingdom start taking a little nap, and when they wake up, they are utterly lost, far from the flock, and in the clutches of a pack of wolves… Are we the sort of sheep who fall asleep? Or are we sheep who remain sober and watchful because we are attentive to the Master’s voice?

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, nor will anyone snatch them from my hand.” (John 10:27-28)

Hey, wake up! Look, the evil one is coming to sow weeds in you!

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May God continue to bless you, and may you keep having an excellent day in Christ Jesus!