Wheat and the Tares

[Carpenter]

We were studying this lesson in "Church in the House" on Wed night. This lesson was provided by the pastor and in the end result the objectives were kind of confusing.

The discussion surrounded how there could be tares in the church.

I really don't understand this concept because number one, the tare could never ever change the DNA of the wheat such that the wheat could become a tare, and vice versa.

Also, how on earth can we be the judge to determine exactly who is a wheat and a tare in the church, especially considering the pognancy that wheat and tares look exactly the same as they grow and can and will only be separated at the threashing floor.

This entire lesson skirted the concept of once saved always saved and the whole thing was actually kind of confusing.

I love church in the house, it is the only place I am allowed to lead worship, and what awesome worship it was last week!!!

I think we may be the only group that gets to have live music.

[Carpenter]

This thread is on its way out, so I thought add a few words I would make it interesting...ya know, maybe give it a little more life.


UPC TV RESOLUTION!!!

[Barb]

My understanding of tare that it means morally harmful or corrupting; darnel.

Darnel is false grain having flat leaves and terminal spikes. That false grain, if it is left to mix with the wheat will eventually cause division and ruin the crop.

It doesn't answer your questions, but it's all I have from my study...

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Barb

My understanding of tare that it means morally harmful or corrupting; darnel.

Darnel is false grain having flat leaves and terminal spikes. That false grain, if it is left to mix with the wheat will eventually cause division and ruin the crop.

It doesn't answer your questions, but it's all I have from my study...

Maybe what you say is true, but the context in the bible doesn't make that reference. The bible says that the two have to be allowed to grow together because removing the bad one will result in ruining the good one and separation is done on the threashing floor.

The point being, that a tare can never ever change or convince the wheat into becoming a tare, therefore why must we be wary of tares being in the church, because really there is nothing we can do about them, and maybe it is a misapplication of the parable Jesus told.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

Maybe what you say is true, but the context in the bible doesn't make that reference. The bible says that the two have to be allowed to grow together because removing the bad one will result in ruining the good one and separation is done on the threashing floor.

The point being, that a tare can never ever change or convince the wheat into becoming a tare, therefore why must we be wary of tares being in the church, because really there is nothing we can do about them, and maybe it is a misapplication of the parable Jesus told.

This is just what I found several years ago when researching this, and I can't even remember where I found this. The info was in one of my documents, so I had it at hand.

My understand is that the Lord will do the separating, and we don't have to wait until the final judgment for it to happen.

That false grain is going to be there, Carp...anywhere we have people we have the possiblility of a tare in the midst.

[Pragmatist]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

Also, how on earth can we be the judge to determine exactly who is a wheat and a tare in the church, especially considering the pognancy that wheat and tares look exactly the same as they grow and can and will only be separated at the threashing floor.

I thought the whole point was that God determines who is a wheat and a tare and we are to mind our own business and not judge others.

[Rhymis]

It does not say, in that parable, that the tares are in the church, it says that they grow together in the field (and the parable is explained that the field is the WORLD). Therefore in the WORLD there are tares and wheat growing together and will until God harvests the wheat from the world.

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Rhymis

It does not say, in that parable, that the tares are in the church, it says that they grow together in the field (and the parable is explained that the field is the WORLD). Therefore in the WORLD there are tares and wheat growing together and will until God harvests the wheat from the world.

Exactly right! However we hear and have heard for years and years how we are to be wary of tares in the church, and that was a question written by the pastor to those participating in the home group.

When I and others got a chance to really look at the scripture and parable, it seemed to me to be a misapplication of the parable in that context, because most everyone agreed that we are not the ones (based on the parable and of course common sense), that should be judging or doing the separating.

[joyful]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

When I and others got a chance to really look at the scripture and parable, it seemed to me to be a misapplication of the parable in that context, because most everyone agreed that we are not the ones (based on the parable and of course common sense), that should be judging or doing the separating.

I have to agree. I think one of the main points of the parable is that we don't need to worry about the tares at all and that the Lord will sort it out at the appointed time.

[Michael The Disciple]

Satan sows tares among the wheat. He does it to weaken the Elect. The tares wont accept doctrinal truth. They will not love the brotherhood. They will not live a life of holiness. But they WILL come to Church.

Thus satan sows seeds of confusion and doubt in the hearts of the true Christian with the intent of causing them to fall from their own steadfastness in Christ.