Wheat or Tare?

Matthew 23: 23-28, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Luke 11:39-42, “And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.’

“but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” One type of hypocrite is someone who feigns virtue or religious devotion. There are two distinct forms of such deceit. The first is the intentional deceiver, a malicious hypocrite who deliberately misrepresents themselves to create a false impression and achieve ulterior motives. The second type of hypocrite, which may pose a greater danger, is the individual who first deceives themselves and consequently misleads others. This individual can be termed a sincere hypocrite, as they genuinely believe in their own sincerity. The Pharisees exemplify this category. The most important aspect of this is the awareness that we may harbor hypocrisy while believing otherwise. We examine these "woes" to assess, gauge, and contemplate our own lives. Each of us has the potential for these issues. The objective is to recognize them now and confront and resolve them.

The Pharisees adhered strictly to numerous customs, traditions, and laws, prioritizing external appearances over internal integrity. The Pharisees were deeply invested in the workings of the Law, engaging in debates over the permissible distance one could walk on the Sabbath, the definition of work, the proper way to attach tassels to garments, and various other trivial matters. In their fervent discussions and preoccupation with legalistic details, they overlooked the fundamental purpose of these laws, which was to guide individuals toward a deeper relationship with God and to foster mutual honor and respect among one another. They disregarded the teachings of Jesus and failed to recognize Him as Lord and Savior. This behavior remains relevant to the modern church, and I don’t mean any specific church denomination or building. God’s people everywhere are His church. We have established specific times for church, meals, work, and other activities. While having a schedule is beneficial for knowing when to be present, it raises a question about our responsiveness to the Holy Spirit. In our relentless chase for personal goals, we often overlook Him. It is common to express a brief "thank you, God," yet our relationship with Him tends to be shallow. The demands of our careers, family responsibilities, and various activities leave little room for spiritual engagement. We profess to have accepted Jesus as our Savior and often prioritize our appearance for church. We may find ourselves attending church sporadically, perhaps once or twice a month, if our hectic schedules allow. During these services, we might sing hymns without genuine enthusiasm, listen to the sermon, engage in light conversation with friends, and offer a quick nod to God before swiftly returning to our daily routines. At times, we may neglect to attend church altogether. Jesus says in Matthew 13:27-30, “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 both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” Which one are we going to choose to be? A tare or wheat? Revelation 3:5, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” I want to be wheat and an overcomer. I seek the Holy Spirit's assistance, direction, and guidance, as I recognize that I cannot accomplish this without His help.

How frequently do we resist the Holy Spirit's leading, adhering strictly to our customs and traditions instead? The Spirit may have urged us to kneel and pray, yet we resist this call due to our own plans or desires that take precedence over the Spirit's invitation. Are we attuned to the guidance and calling of the Holy Spirit in our life? More crucially, do we demonstrate obedience to the Spirit by acting upon those promptings? If we do not, what are the reasons for this? When someone reaches out to us in need, we may hastily end the conversation because of other commitments or a lack of interest. At times, we might not even respond to the call, simply due to a lack of interest. That is forgetting “the love of God.” Many individuals are fortunate to work with fellow believers; however, the significance of their work often overshadows the opportunity to pray together. How many take advantage of their breaks and lunch hours to serve God? While sustenance is essential, there are times when we can forgo a meal or two in response to God's call. Those who do not share this sense of urgency may quickly criticize and react with anger, reminiscent of the Pharisees. In today's world, the risk of losing our jobs due to answering a call is significant; however, during our free time, do we take the initiative to listen and respond to that call? Brother Harold Scullin once advised that when we sense the urge to pray, we must pause and engage in prayer. This act embodies our response to the call, demonstrating obedience, submission to God, and commitment to Him. Let me repeat part of those verses: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Ouch. How many times have I not obeyed the call? I hang my head in shame and pray for forgiveness. When we respond to the call of the Holy Spirit, the rewards extend beyond those we assist; we also receive blessings in return. Especially when we’re called to pray and we answer… oh the joy that fills our soul!

How much time do we dedicate to God’s Word? That is a call from God and not just the, “Ok, I read a few verses and said a quick prayer. That’s sufficient.” I have been guilty of that more often than not. 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” God's call extends to all of us, regardless of whether we are pastors, evangelists, or hold any other title. This directive is clearly outlined in His Word, which we are all expected to follow. I have been blessed to have been asked to help lead an online women’s Bible study. The blessings I have experienced through immersing myself in His Word and responding to His call are profound. The joy derived from heeding the Holy Spirit, engaging in the study of Scripture, and connecting with like-minded women is beyond expression. Do you understand the benefits of adhering to His teachings and engaging with His Word? Have you considered the value of dedicating time to prayer, even if it extends to an hour or longer? I long to express in writing the immense joy I have experienced, hoping to convey it to you through these words. Each individual needs to undertake this responsibility independently. The question I pose to myself is whether I will adhere to the call and remain committed to His Word, even if I am no longer assisting in the Bible study. If I wish to continue experiencing the blessings of the Holy Spirit, my answer must be yes. I have dedicated numerous hours online and, on the phone, to assist women seeking my support in Christ. I have often been awake late into the night to provide help to some of them. Although it is tiring, the experience is immensely fulfilling. It is also a call that is placed upon each of us: Philippians 2:3,4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” 

Ephesians 4:1-7, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”  We are to walk in humility, meekness, and patience, enduring one another with love. We are to endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  There is supposed to be only one God above all and in us all, leaving no room for letting ourselves or the lust of the flesh be our gods. We are given grace by Jesus Christ, which doesn’t mean it is ok to do our own thing and go our own way. Whether we are denominational or non-denominational, discussions often revolve around various contentious topics, including signs of the end times, on what day church should be held, the appropriate amount of water for baptism, the frequency of the Lord's Supper, the organization of church governance, the political affiliations of Christians, the significance of different gifts of the Holy Spirit, the most reverent style of music for worship, and whether there even should be music.  Acts 2:1, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Our lack of unity hinders the Holy Spirit. When we are not aligned in purpose and spirit, we create barriers that prevent the indwelling of His presence. Achieving harmony and agreement is essential for welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives and community.  I earnestly desire to change, become faithful, and yield to His guidance. I pray that the Holy Spirit works in us and through us to become a people devoted to Him with singleness of mind. Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Goettsche, B. (2017, October 29). The Nature of Hypocrisy - Matthew 23:23-28. Sermons by Logos. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/601051-the-nature-of-hypocrisy-matthew-23:23-28