Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Wheat, Weeds, and Growth

Today, we explored the parable of the wheat and the weeds from Matthew 13, a teaching where Jesus gives us a sobering and clear perspective on the reality of the world we live in and the spiritual battle that surrounds us. We are reminded that we were created to worship God, to declare His praise, and that our lives are meant to reflect His glory. In this parable, Jesus distinguishes between the people of the kingdom—the wheat—and those under the influence of the enemy—the weeds. The enemy sows weeds among the wheat not simply to harm us, but ultimately to sabotage the heart of God, because Satan’s hatred for us is rooted in his hatred for God Himself. Every time the enemy sees us, he sees the image of the One he despises.

We also saw that the enemy’s opposition is not random. When God’s people begin to mature and bear fruit, that’s when opposition arises. The enemy’s timing is strategic, aiming to discourage us right before breakthrough. Yet, God’s sovereignty reigns over all, and nothing comes our way without His permission. Even what the enemy means for harm, God can turn for our good if we respond with courage and faith.

We must be vigilant about the footholds we allow in our lives—unforgiveness, ongoing sin, hardened hearts—because these can become strongholds, places where the enemy operates not only to harm us but to use us as opposition in the lives of others. Often, those under the enemy’s influence are blind to it, especially when pride or a spirit of offense takes root. The call is to communicate, to refuse isolation, and to guard the unity and health of the body of Christ.

Jesus is clear: it is not our job to judge or uproot the weeds from the world. Our focus should be on our own growth, tending to the ground God has given us, and trusting Him with the sorting at the end of the age. The reality of eternity—heaven and hell—is not something to tiptoe around. We are called to live with urgency, to reflect God’s glory, and to be mirrors, not sponges, so that all affirmation and influence in our lives is turned back to Him. In the end, those who are in Christ will shine like the sun in the Father’s kingdom, glorified not for our own sake, but for His.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Satan’s Opposition Is Rooted in Hatred for God, Not Just Us The enemy’s attacks are not merely personal; they are fueled by his deep hatred for God, whose image we bear. Every scheme, every attempt to sow discord or destruction in our lives, is ultimately an assault on the heart of God. Understanding this shifts our perspective from self-pity to spiritual awareness, reminding us that our battles are part of a much larger cosmic conflict. [10:07]
• 2. Breakthrough Is Preceded by Opposition—Don’t Be Discouraged When we begin to mature and bear fruit, opposition often intensifies. This is not a sign to give up, but rather an indication that breakthrough is near. The enemy’s resistance is most fierce when we are on the verge of stepping into new territory with God, so let opposition encourage you that you are moving in the right direction. [16:47]
• 3. Footholds Become Strongholds—Deal Aggressively with Sin and Offense Allowing unforgiveness, ongoing sin, or a hardened heart to remain gives the enemy a foothold, which can become a stronghold—a base of operations in our lives. These strongholds not only harm us but can make us instruments of opposition in the lives of others, often without our awareness. We must be ruthless in rooting out these areas, seeking healing and reconciliation, and refusing to let the enemy use us against our brothers and sisters. [24:12]
• 4. It’s Not Our Job to Uproot the Weeds—Focus on Growth and Trust God’s Timing Jesus instructs us not to judge or attempt to remove the weeds from the world, as our roots are often intertwined and we risk harming the wheat. Our responsibility is to focus on our own growth, to tend to the seeds God has given us, and to trust that He will sort all things out at the harvest. This calls for humility, patience, and a refusal to be distracted by the apparent success or wickedness of others. [31:50]
• 5. Live as Mirrors, Not Sponges—Reflect God’s Glory, Don’t Absorb It As God elevates and uses us, we must resist the temptation to absorb praise or affirmation for ourselves. Instead, we are called to be mirrors, reflecting all glory back to God. This posture keeps us humble, protects us from pride, and ensures that our influence extends God’s light into the world, rather than drawing attention to ourselves. [56:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:27] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
• [02:48] - Reading the Parable of the Weeds and Wheat
• [03:28] - Jesus Explains the Parable
• [06:07] - The Darnell Weed: Mimicry and Maturity
• [08:48] - The Purpose of the Weeds and the Enemy’s Motive
• [10:07] - Satan’s Hatred for God and His Use of People
• [12:30] - The Enemy’s Influence and the Cycle of Use and Abuse
• [15:48] - Opposition and the Timing of Breakthrough
• [18:39] - How Footholds Become Strongholds
• [22:06] - The Spirit of Offense and the Need for Communication
• [31:05] - Why We Don’t Uproot the Weeds
• [33:34] - Psalm 73: The Perspective of Eternity
• [37:38] - The Reality of Judgment: Heaven and Hell
• [42:25] - Deal Aggressively with Sin for the Sake of Others
• [47:27] - The Promise of Glorification
• [53:37] - Don’t Be a Sponge—Be a Mirror
• [56:04] - Reflecting God’s Glory in Everyday Life
• [58:17] - Living with Urgency in Light of Eternity
• [59:35] - Invitation to Salvation and Closing Prayer
• [61:51] - Announcements and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 (ESV) —
> 24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

> 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus’ explanation, what do the wheat and the weeds represent in this parable? ([03:28])
2. What does the farmer say when the workers ask if they should pull out the weeds, and why? ([02:48])
3. When do the weeds become visible among the wheat, and what does this timing suggest? ([15:48])
4. What is the final outcome for the wheat and the weeds at the end of the age, according to Jesus? ([43:08])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that Satan’s hatred for us is really about his hatred for God, since we are made in God’s image. How does this understanding change the way we see spiritual opposition in our lives? ([10:07])
2. The pastor mentioned that opposition often increases right before a breakthrough. Why might God allow this, and how should we respond when we feel discouraged or attacked? ([16:47])
3. The sermon warns that allowing things like unforgiveness or ongoing sin can give the enemy a foothold, which can become a stronghold. What are some signs that a foothold might be turning into a stronghold in someone’s life? ([24:12])
4. Jesus says it’s not our job to uproot the weeds. What dangers might there be in trying to “weed out” people we think are not genuine believers? ([31:50])

Application Questions

1. The enemy often attacks when we start to grow and bear fruit. Can you think of a time when you faced unexpected opposition as you were stepping out in faith? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? ([16:47])
2. The sermon talks about footholds like unforgiveness, ongoing sin, or a hardened heart. Is there an area in your life where you sense you might be giving the enemy a foothold? What practical step can you take this week to address it? ([24:12])
3. The pastor emphasized the importance of communication and not isolating ourselves when we feel offended or hurt. Is there someone you need to talk to or forgive in order to guard the unity of the body? What’s holding you back? ([29:16])
4. Jesus says our job is to focus on our own growth, not judging or uprooting others. Are there ways you’ve been distracted by comparing yourself to others or by trying to “fix” people? How can you shift your focus back to your own walk with God? ([31:50])
5. The sermon challenges us to be mirrors, not sponges—reflecting God’s glory instead of absorbing praise for ourselves. When you receive affirmation or recognition, how do you handle it? What would it look like for you to “reflect” that glory back to God in your daily life? ([56:04])
6. The reality of eternity—heaven and hell—was presented as something we shouldn’t tiptoe around. How does living with an awareness of eternity affect your priorities and sense of urgency? Is there a specific way you want to live differently in light of this? ([58:17])
7. The sermon ended with an invitation to surrender to Jesus. If you’re not sure where you stand with God, what’s stopping you from taking a step of faith today? If you are following Jesus, how can you help someone else take that step? ([59:35])