Matthew 13:24-25 ESV 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.

I drove by a house the other day which set off a memory from many years ago. My wife and I had visited there because the couple, who had been attending our church, invited us over for the afternoon. We had a great time and I really liked them.

Within just a few days that all changed.

They stopped attending our church. They did not respond to my calls. And when I happened to run into them at the store a couple of weeks later they were absolutely cold to me, muttered a few words, and moved on.

I found out later that a very wicked man who we had been dealing with in the church, had “befriended” them and unloaded all kinds of lies about me, about the church, about…just everything. And they swallowed it. They were done with us. I don’t think I ever saw them again. Just that fast a hopeful friendship was destroyed.

Most of you have had this happen I am sure. A wicked person – often an evil abusive spouse – spread deceitful lies about you and your family, your friends, your church, even your children – believed them. The enemy did this. He came in the night and sowed evil seed. Fools bit, hook, line, and sinker.