What role does faith play in trusting God to handle the separation of good and evil people in His own time?
Matthew 13:24-30
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. 26 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.’”
There are some examples we see in life, where something bad is mixed with something good:
Delicious Food with something moldy – A gourmet meal that is delicious initially but leaves a lingering bitterness of fungus and spores.
Beautiful Scenery with something wrong – A breathtaking landscape tainted by something we don’t like to see
Winning a Competition but Losing Friends – Achieving a major victory, but your success creates jealousy or tensions with close friends.
A Thoughtful Gift but it’s Defective – Receiving a meaningful gift, but it breaks easily or doesn’t work as intended.
A Dream Job with a Terrible Boss – Landing a job that matches your passion but having to deal with a difficult or abusive boss.
A Gorgeous Outfit that’s Uncomfortable – Wearing a beautiful, stylish outfit that feels tight or itchy all day.
A Vacation in Paradise with Bad Weather – Traveling to a stunning tropical island, but it rains the entire time.
Among Us — A hi-tech spaceship with a good crew except for one, that is trying to sabotage them
Great Friends with Toxic Behavior – Having friends who are fun and supportive but occasionally show manipulative or toxic behavior.
This verse is talking about people who claim to be Christians, but really aren’t.
We see this verse explained more by Jesus in Matthew 13:36-40, where Jesus explains the parable, giving us a clearer picture into what is being said:
Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
The verse says those who are righteous.
Who are the righteous? Nobody
Romans 3:10-12 (LSB) says:
as it is written,
“There is none righteous, not even one;
There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
All have turned aside, together they have become worthless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
Ephesians 5:6 says this:
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
All the seeds are evil and deserve bundling and throwing into the great fire.
So what is the definition of righteous? being morally correct and justifiable
Justifiable? Justified.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" - Romans 5:1
"And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." - Romans 8:30
Discussion Questions
1. What do you think the "good seeds" and the "weeds" represent in real life? Can you think of examples?
2. Why do you think the farmer decided not to pull the weeds out right away? What does this tell us about dealing with bad influences or difficult people in our lives?
3. In the parable, both good plants and weeds grow together. How can we live faithfully in a world where good and evil exist side by side?
4. The weeds are only separated from the good plants at harvest time. What do you think this says about God's timing for justice or judgment?
5. How does this parable challenge the way you handle people who are negative or destructive in your life?
6. What does the farmer’s patience in the parable teach us about how God views both good and bad people?
7. In what areas of your life do you feel like you're trying to be "good seed" but are surrounded by "weeds"? How do you stay focused on growing?
8. How can we be sure that we’re planting good seeds (positive actions, attitudes, or habits) in our own lives and in the lives of others?
9. Have you ever felt tempted to "pull out the weeds" in your life too soon? What can we learn from the farmer’s wisdom in this situation?
Make a difference
Being a Christian in a world that often rejects God is like being a light in a dark place.
You’re surrounded by influences that push you toward things that go against your faith:
selfishness
violence
disrespect
immorality
But choosing to follow Jesus means standing up for something better, something real. It’s about holding on to truth when the world around you is confused or lost.
You’re called to make a difference
It’s easy to follow the crowd, but God didn’t put you here to blend in. He gave you a purpose. You’ve got the chance to be an example of love, hope, and strength to people who might not know there’s another way. When people around you see how you live—how you treat others with kindness, forgive, stand for what’s right, and don’t give in to the negativity—they notice. Your life can plant seeds in their hearts.
You’re representing something bigger
Following Christ means you're part of a bigger story—God’s plan to save the world. Even though society might seem like it's heading in the wrong direction, you're living for a kingdom that’s eternal. You’ve got hope that goes beyond the here and now, and that’s powerful.
You have to stay grounded
It’s not easy being a Christian in a world that doesn’t follow God, but it’s worth it. When everyone else is living for themselves, you’re choosing to live for a purpose that lasts forever. It takes courage to go against the flow, but in the end, your faith in Jesus gives you strength, peace, and direction that the world can’t offer.
Your faith can save lives
When society seems like it’s falling apart, people are desperate for something real. By living out your faith, you’re giving them a glimpse of what life can be like with Christ. You’re showing them that hope, joy, and love are possible, even in the middle of a messed-up world. That’s why being a Christian isn’t just important—it’s essential. You have something this world desperately needs.
Be true to God and His Word, and stay on target
In life, good and bad exist together. There are people around you who may try to drag you down or lead you into trouble, but you have a choice. Instead of reacting in anger or trying to get rid of those people yourself, be patient. In time, the truth will show, and justice will come.
You don't have to take it into your own hands.
Let God, the U.S. Navy and the Marines, and the criminal justice system do the punishing. Pray for your enemies.
Charles Mattson
- Student Ministries Director
