Parables of Matthew 13
In the New Testament we have the activity of Satan indicated in several of the parables which the Lord gave as to the kingdom of heaven in Matthew Chapter 13.

In the first parable of the sower of the good seed, the Lord said that "some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up" (v. 4). In explaining the parable, the Savior said that "the seed is the Word of God.

(Matthew 13:19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart.)

This is he which received seed by the way side. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved (v. 19, also Luke 8:11-12).

Here we see the activity of Satan in hindering the Word of God from lodging in the heart and in preventing souls from believing the gospel and being saved. Of course, it is wayside ground that is hardened by the traffic of the world, and the seed of the Word of God can be easily snatched away by getting one occupied with other things such as: present momentary gratification, wealth, earthly honor, greatness and FALSE RELIGIONS.

They choose not to be diverted from amusing themselves with toys and vanities,  causing the Word of God to be forgotten.

In the second parable, good seed is sown in a field, and "while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares (or darnel) among the wheat and went his way" (v. 25).

Matthew 13:25  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Matthew 13:26  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Darnel is a noxious weed that resembles wheat.

A tare is a darnel that looks exactly like wheat while both are growing as blades.  When the fruit from an ear of wheat is ready to be harvested, the tares can finally be distinguished by their lack of fruit, and they may be separated easily.

In the explanation of this parable, the Lord said, "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; in the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil" Verses 37-39. The Lord set forth in this parable the activity of Satan as an enemy in the spiteful opposition to the sowing of the good seed of the pure Word of God.

Matthew 13:40  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Matthew 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Matthew 13:42  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.     The 2nd Death   (Sermon Text)

Satan has ever been busy in the sowing of his deceptive and false teachings through false religions which are represented by the tares, or darnel.

Imitation, deception, and corruption are manifest in the figure of darnel. The Devil sows deceptive and imitation seed that poisons and corrupts the minds and hearts of mankind. He has an imitation, modernistic gospel; an imitation, false Christ; and an imitation, false church. In this way Satan seeks to destroy God's work of true Christianity by introducing a clever imitation of the real thing. Those who accept Satan's evil teachings become spiritually related to him. They become "children of the wicked one" as the Lord said. Their character is molded by his prompting and influenced by his subtle teachings.

Believe And Be Saved Through Faith In Jesus Christ     The 2nd Death   (Sermon Text)     The Eternity Of Hell's Torments   (Audio) (MP3)

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