The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Matthew #2536

One who takes His name and leads His children astray is going to pay an awesome price!

Wisdom and knowledge are not synonymous terms for there are many very intelligent people who are extremely knowledgeable in a wide variety of subjects while at the same time they lack the wisdom to use that knowledge in a just and right manner. (It seems we like to elect people like that and send them to our houses of congress.)

Take the Parable of the Tares for example. Understanding who the tares are and who their sower (sire) is gives one possession of an hidden treasure of knowledge for sure, but possessing the wisdom to use that knowledge according to His will is yet another matter. And since this parable singles out the only two churches (Philadelphia & Smyrna) in these last days with whom Jesus Christ finds no fault (Rev. 2, 3), it is extremely important that we know and understand how to wisely use and handle that knowledge... His way! To that end, Christ has already told us to "leave the tares alone" (Mat. 13:29) while at the same time telling us that if we understand the parable of the sower, meaning we have been instructed in the kingdom of heaven (Mat. 13:52), then we are to be like unto an householder and bring forth that treasure of knowledge and share it with others in our house!

Therefore, in today's study we are going to receive what we might call a secondary education in the application of the Parable of the Tares as Jesus Christ expounds upon that parable and shows us by example how to handle certain specific situations, e.g. what to do when the tares don't leave you alone and what you should teach openly to the multitudes concerning them. We begin as the leading scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus and make accusations concerning His "non-religious" disciples.

Matthew 15:1
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
It is important to note that whenever there was an encounter between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees, it was always they who approached Him. In other words, He left the tares alone just as He instructed us to for He was not an hypocrite to say one thing and then do another. The parable of tares explains how it is they shall be dealt with... in the end, when the angels shall gather them together and bind them to be cast into the fire.

Now notice the motive of these tares (kenites) as they accuse the brethren...  just like their father the "accuser of our brethren" who shall soon be cast down to this earth (Rev. 12:7-10). Let us read this carefully and see if we can discern who it is they are really criticizing!

[2] Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
To "wash not their hands" does not mean the disciples did not clean up before they ate dinner, as is commonly taught by the unlearned. It means they did not go through the ritual of "the washing of the hands" which was a "ceremony of purification", a religious tradition of the church. You see, the true disciples of Jesus Christ do not participate in the ritualistic traditions of men which are not written in God's Word. In fact, you could say that true disciples of Christ are not "religious" the way Churchianity defines the termbecause they follow Christ, the Word of God, and not the dictates and doctrines of churches and denominations which are often contrary to the Word of God and therefore iniquitous as we shall see in the following example Christ gives to us.

So here we see these oh-so-religious leaders coming to Christ to attack and entrap Him by asking Him why His disciples do not follow the religious traditions handed down from the elders, which are merely commandments of men (written in the Talmud) but which cannot be found written in the Word of God. In fact, they contradict the Word of God.

[3] But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Yes, religious traditions of men are iniquitous indeed in that they transgress God's commandments. Take heed to that fact for those who follow Churchianity instead of seeking Christ to know Him through His Word shall find themselves on the outside of the wedding feast looking in when the Lord returns.You see, one is mistaken and sorely deceived who says he or she knows the Living Word of God and yet knows not the Written Word of God. Remember we covered this in Matthew 7:21-23? "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."Understand and take heed to the fact that if a person supports and follows the traditions of men perpetuated by those religious leaders who "work iniquity", then that one becomes a partaker of their evil deeds (2 Jn. 1:11).

Again, Jesus Christ is being confronted face-to-face by some tares, Kenites who have become religious leaders, and is answering their question by pointing out that what they are teaching people to do in the name of God is contrary to and in transgression of the Word of God! To that end, He gives us a primary example of a tradition which abounds today even more so than ever.

[4] For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
This is quoted from Exodus 20:12 and 21:17 which is what the Word of God says. Here is how the scribes and Pharisees make void His Word.
[5]But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

[6] And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

They say "as long as you give your gifts (money) to the church" to be used for a good cause, implying even if it is money needed to take care of your father and mother, then you do a good thing which is what God wants you to do. In effect they are saying you shall be free... free of guilt and free from the penalty of the law "Honor you father and mother".

It has even come to pass in these last days, that the religious leaders, many of whom are nothing more than robbers and thieves dressed up to appear like holy men of God and who should be teaching His Word instead of traditions, will take as much money from our father's and mother's Social Security checks as they can get... regardless if they can afford it or not.

They will even use and twist scripture, like Mal. 3:8 which is written to the preachers to let them know they have robbed (defrauded) God by taking in tithes and not providing His people with meat from His Word, to lay guilt trips on the elderly to get them to give that which they cannot afford. Shame on them for coercing money from little old ladies and caring not if they have any money left over to buy groceries or medication.  The point is, it is not "OK" to tell people God approves of them giving gifts to the church instead of taking care of their fathers and mothers.

By the way, this practice of asking people to "give to the church" as a means of showing yourself approved to God, is called Corban in the Book of Mark.

Mark 7:11-13
But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
Here is Strong's definition of Corban:
korban, kor-ban', Greek 2878; and korbanas, kor-ban-as'; of Hebrew and Chaldee origin respectively [Hebrew 7133 (qorban)]; a votive offering and the offering; a consecrated present (to the Temple fund); by extensive (the latter term) the Treasury itself, i.e. the room where the contribution boxes stood :- Corban, treasury.
[12] And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
They tell people in so many sweet sounding you-are-doing-the-right-thing words, that they are "free from the penalty of violating the law" as long as they follow the tradition of Corban which again is to "give their tax free gifts and donations" to the church! God doesn't like it nor does He approve of the sin of Corban.
[13] Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
DO NOT read over Christ's statement that there are MANY "such like things", i.e. MANY other church traditions, that are contrary to and therefore transgress the Word of God.In fact, Christ warned us that in these last days the "iniquity" of the false prophets would abound.

Let us take a little side trip and document it.
                       Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

A "false prophet" is an hypocrite, a play actor, one who claims to represent Christ but teaches false doctrines. There are MANY of them RIGHT NOW and they have already deceived the multitudes! How so? Through their "works of iniquity" which are their teaching of traditions (MANY traditions, Mat. 15:13) that "transgress the commandments of God" just like Corban does!
[12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
The subject is "false prophets" (vs. 11) and the "iniquity" are those traditions they teach which transgress the law. Christ said because that "iniquity" (those traditions) SHALL ABOUND in these last days, that the love of many, which is the love for His Word shall wax cold. "Abound" is the Greek word "plethuno" which comes from "plethos" which is where we get our English word "plethora".
Abound, plethos, play'-thos, Greek 4128; from Greek 4130 (pletho); a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace :- bundle, company, multitude.
It is through the traditions of men, i.e. iniquity, that the multitudes are drawn away from the love of His Word.
Iniquity = anomia, an-om-ee'-ah, Greek 458; from Greek 459 (anomos); illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive) wickedness :- iniquity, × transgress (-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.
Thus we know how the "famine of these last days" is brought about.

Have you read what that famine is?

Amos the prophet explains it to us: Amos 8:11 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." To wit it has come to pass for about all our people hear in most churches today are the traditions of men...and they love it!

Paul addresses this love for Churchianity verses the love for His Word.

2 Thes. 2:10-12
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Traditions deceive our people. They are a substitute for truth, even as Corban violates His commandment.
[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
They are prone to believe most any lie their preachers tell them, but the "big lie" they shall believe is that Satan, the "instead-of-Jesus", is really Jesus Christ who he will claim to be when he is cast out of heaven to this earth (Rev. 12:7-9).
[12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
To have "pleasure" in unrighteousness (iniquity) is to "approve" of the traditions of men, to think well of them, i.e. to believe false teachers that those things are good and pleasing to God.
pleasure, eudokeo, yoo-dok-eh'-o, Greek 2106; from Greek 2095 (eu) and Greek 1380 (dokeo); to think well of, i.e. approve (an act); specially to approbate (a person or thing) :- think good, (be well) please (-d), be the good (have, take) pleasure, be willing.
Let us now return to Matthew 15 where Christ is still addressing the tares face-to-face.
Matthew 15:7
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
Christ called them pretenders, play actors, and then quoted the Word of God from Isaiah 29.
[8] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
How many people do you know like that? There mind is far from aligning with His Word for out of their "heart" they teach traditions.
[9] But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Teachers of God's Word are to teach and follow the commandments of God, NOT the commandments of men which don't mean a hill of beans. In fact, to claim His name, which is to claim His authority as a Christian pastor, preacher, priest, etc., and then use that name to teach vanity, emptiness, which is what the commandments of men are, is a direct violation of one of the 10 Commandments... and God will not hold one guiltless who does it!
Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Editors Note: To take the "Lord's name in vain" is not swearing as I was taught when I was young!  It's claiming the Lord said, "this or that" when he said no such thing!
One who takes His name and leads His children astray is going to pay an awesome price! In fact, Satan was sentenced to perish in the Lake of Fire for leading 1/3 of God's children astray (Rev. 12:4, Ezek. 28:18-19). To that end, there are a lot of preachers who are going to be in big, big trouble when Christ returns because He himself told us flat out that there would be MANY in these last days who would come in His name, which again is to claim His authority to teach (i.e. Christian), who would deceive the multitudes, which is the majority of our brothers and sisters, by teaching the vain traditions of men instead of His Word chapter by chapter and line by line. We as His disciples are admonished to watch out for false teachers which is why we check out the things we are taught in the Word of God (1 Jn. 4).

It is an openly visible fact that many preachers spend much of their time that could be used to teach Father's Word, to talk about giving, giving, giving, which ought to reveal to a sensible person what they have on their minds, which is to get, get, get... money that is! Just listen to them and see how long it takes until they bring up the subject of the almighty dollar. Remember Christ instructed His disciples that when they go forth to teach not to
(1) take a purse, which means they do not need any financing, and
(2) not to take a scrip, a beggars bag, which means they are not ask for money.
God promises that if you do it His way, according to His commands (freely you have received so freely give), that He will see to it that your needs are met. He says just "Ask Him", not the people, for whatsoever you need and He shall provide! Matthew 10:9-10 "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, [10] Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat." If you work for Him, He will see that you are well blessed.

With that understanding in mind, notice what Christ does next.

Matthew 15:10
And He called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Christ called the multitude and instructed the people to open their ears to hear, to understand, to "see" the hypocrisy (play acting) and the iniquity of traditional Churchianity.

Here is what the multitude needs to understand: (These are Christ's own words so take heed!)

[11] Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Tell the people, knowing that there are an abundance of religious hypocrites who use the name of Christ, that as Christians we should always examine what comes out of a preacher's mouth concerning the Word of God. We do that testing by documenting what they say in the Word of God, not from a church quarterly or catechism book, etc. However, and this is important to understand, Christ did NOT say that we should single out certain denominations or ministries or preachers, teachers, etc.

By the way, what should come out of a man's (teacher's) mouth?God's words!You "see", it is what a man teaches Father's children that can defile that man and expose Him as a false teacher. Therefore, one had better make certain that if he or she does teach, he or she speaks The Lord's Words. That is the express duty of a watchman in these last days, those who are knowledgeable of His Word and have been appointed by God, not man, to teach the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Ezek-i-el (God is my strength) was a type of the watchman.

Here is what the LORD said unto him:

Ezekiel 3:1-11
Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.
The first order of business for a teacher of God's Word is to eat and digest the whole roll, yes, read and digest the entire Word of God.
[2] So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll.

[3] And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

[4] And He said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.

Don't you go teaching some church doctrine you learned in man's seminaries. You speak MY WORDS unto them. (Skip on down to verse 10.)
[10] Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.
You seal up your mind real good with the Word of God and understand that which is written, even all the parables.
[11] And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
It is not the duty of God's disciples to "convert" the multitudes for we know from the parable of the sower that not all the "seed" falls on fertile ground. We are to plant the seeds of truth but we cannot force them to germinate or grow. Only God can do that. Nevertheless, the point is that Christ wants the multitudes to be aware of the vain religious sounding words that proceed forth from the mouths of those who claim to be teachers, lest ye eat that bread and become defiled yourself by passing it along to others.
Matthew 15:12
Then came His disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Hey Lord! You really upset those preachers by exposing their hypocrisy and telling people to watch out for religious con-artists whose words consist of nothing more that the less-than-worthless traditions of men! "Arrrgh"! After taking so much time to explain the major points of the Parable of the Sower in chapter 13, Christ's disciples should have been well attuned to the fact that these hypocrites were bad seed, a bunch of tares who were producing nothing but bad fruit which is both toxic and spiritually deadly to our brothers and sisters! They are "spiritual murderers", don't you know (see vs. 19 below)? Therefore Christ had to be a little disappointed with His students for giving "two hoots" about what the scribes and Pharisees thought or the fact that they were offended. Some of the multitude may become upset when they hear the true teaching of the Word of God, but as His disciples we should not be concerned that the truth is a little too hard on preachers! Then too, consider that it is only those on whom the shoe fits that would even be offended, right?

We need to consider carefully the Parable of the Tares and recall what shall happen to those tares, which is to be bound and burned lest they repent and turn to Him, then perhaps we shall not be so compassionate for the evil sower and his mouthpieces! However, make sure you comply with Christ's command in verse 14 below.

Here is the Lord's reply and instruction to His disciples as He makes reference to the Parable of the Sower.

[13] But He answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
The kenite and all those who are not planted as teachers by our Father, but rather take His name and teach vain traditions from their lips instead of teaching His Word, are going to be in big trouble when Christ returns. Until then, remember what we are to do, which is to leave them alone!
[14] Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
If you have a ministry that spends its time singling out and judging other preachers, ministries, churches, denominations, etc, then that ministry is in violation of the commands of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, who shall ultimately be the judge of them all! We are instructed NOT to go after religious leaders and name names. God will take care of those blind leaders who claim to represent Him but lead our people into following the ways of traditions. That is why you will never find a true teacher of God's Word criticize or attack another minister, teacher, preacher, ministry, etc. They teach His Word which is the truth, the Light which exposes lies and traditions for what they really are... iniquitous! And they also instruct and teach people how to become independent thinkers and document from that which is written in His Word, the words which come out of men's mouths. Do they give "lip service" and say and sing "Lord, Lord" or do they teach His Word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. You decide, for it is your soul!
[15] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
Peter might have been a little slow coming to a full understanding the Parable of the Tares, but He sure didn't lack desire nor was he too proud to ask and seek answers from the Word of God. That's a good thing for us, ain't it? (Thank you Peter.)
[16] And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
You see, Christ covered all this "planting" thing back in chapter 13! However, because it so important for us to understand He has graciously given to us this marvelous additional training.
[17] Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
Don't look at physical things or religious things. So what if you don't go through some ceremonial church ritual before you eat! You be more attuned to "those things which proceed out of the mouth" of those who claim to be preachers or teachers of His Word.
[18] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Again, this is old territory Christ is covering here. If you have the "understanding of the kingdom of heaven" then you are to be like unto an householder who brings forth good treasure. Therefore, be careful what comes out of your mouth when you teach and be sure to instruct others how to discern from His Word whether the things they hear are the iniquitous traditions of men or the truth from the precepts of God.
[19] For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Consider all these things on the spiritual level, i.e. spiritual murder, spiritual adultery (idolatry), etc., which is how Christ is teaching us here. These are the thoughts which proceed forth from the mouths of false prophets, the teachings that defile and corrupt, that steal and rob our people both spiritually and monetarily. So learn how to discern whether things true or false come forth from the lips of anyone who claims to be planted of God! Remember, if you test the fruit you can always tell from what kind of tree it came! Matthew 7:17-18 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
[20] These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
This concludes Christ's response and teaching to the question by the scribes and Pharisees as to why His disciples do not do "churchy" things, like go through the ritual of the "washing of the hands" before they eat. The point is, so what if you don't follow the "traditions of the elders"? So what if you don't observe this day or that day, or this holiday or that new moon, or wash someone's feet, or repeat this saying or that? One is NOT defiled by not doing what man tells them to.

Men are defiled by what comes out of their mouths through the abundance of their hearts. So make sure you are sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the Word!

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


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