While We’re Sleeping

As men of God, we are to sow good seeds in our families, friends, and businesses. The Word tells us that we are like lights on a table. Lights on tables provide light for the whole room. Our salvation is not just for us; it shines for others. As men of God, we sow good seeds by abiding in God. It’s not by our words but by the Word of God that our families, friends, and coworkers thrive in their relationship with God, our Father.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

As good seed sowers, we should consider the enemy that is waiting for us to sleep.While we sow good seeds in our lives, we must remain vigilant, as the enemy takes advantage of moments when we pause to rest or stop sowing good seeds. Notice that the enemy often enters at night, in the darkness, when we are not looking–not expecting the enemy. Once we turn off the lights of awareness, the enemy can come in and sow bad seeds among the good ones we’ve planted. We often think that our work is done while the battle for our souls and the souls of our families rages on.

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. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” (Matthew 13:24-29)

Satan never rests. When we take breaks, we often stop reading the Word, praying, spending time with our brothers in Christ, and attending church. These moments are when Satan, our enemy, can do his most harmful work. He begins to sow bad seeds (negative influences) in our lives and in the lives of our families during these times of inactivity. When the lights are off, and we are at rest, we become more vulnerable.

While we need rest, even as we rest, we must remember that our lights should never be turned OFF. Our families and loved ones need us to stay in the Word. Nothing good happens in the dark. When we take our eyes off God’s Word, our daily supply of protection and direction, we are gambling, opening ourselves up to the enemy’s crafty sprinkling of bad seed. Notice the bad seed isn’t obvious right away. Like our lives and others, bad seed is not always apparent, but when it’s fully grown, it becomes clear who are God’s children and who are not. Good seed needs to be watered and nourished. That water and nourishment only come through the Word of God. Weeds, however, need a spraying of Roundup! Our Roundup is God’s Word.

Even Jesus, when tempted, used the very Word of God to fight the enemy. Jesus used the best and only real weed killer––the Word of God! Notice that the bad seed is allowed to grow among the good seed. But, at the harvest, the weeds will be collected first. They will be bundled by the angels and thrown into the fire while the good wheat is gathered and brought to His barn.

Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn. (Matthew 13:30)

We are not bound and cast into the fire. Instead, we are gathered and brought to the barn. Heaven is God’s barn, where His children truly belong. While we await our Heavenly destination, we are called to be lights on a table, illuminating the room while remaining aware of Satan sowing bad seeds.

As we see in Matthew 13:25, Satan sowed bad seeds while they were asleep and then left. As lights in the room, we don’t leave; we stay lit and continue the work of our Heavenly Father (Matthew 15:16). When we do this, weeds won’t take root!

Have a great weekend,
Steve L. Thomas