“And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No; while you are gathering up the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them” (Matthew 13:28-29).
We must, for this age, allow the weeds to grow amongst the good seed. We do not know who is which. Some that we think good seed are bad and some we think bad seed are good. That is the Lord’s business. But we do not need to tolerate weed behavior. That we can and must confront, if necessary. If the weed- behavior person leaves for affronted pride, they leave. In all things, look to the Lord as the One who must lead in all things.
Lord, I do judge others. I see their behavior and condemn it. Help me to not live condemning others, but to use every opportunity for growth in the seed which You have planted in others and in me. You will gather all at the end and You are the One who must judge us all. Lead me now and always to take my instructions from You so that I may grow in the likeness of Christ and do what is pleasing in Your sight.
Holy Spirit, I sometimes think beyond what a situation reveals. Guide me to look to You for all instructions. Where You would have me be silent, guard my tongue. Where You would have me speak, grant me boldness to move beyond my fear to speak what needs to be spoken. Through all things, help me to be faithful to the call You have given me through faith by an abundance of Your grace. Amen.
