Oftentimes I have made reference to the late former evangelist Charles Templeton who, having begun ministry alongside the great Billy Graham, ended up deserting the faith because of some strange doctrine. We know of similar stories with men mightily used by God such as William Branham or William Seymour who had also begun well and ended up adopting doctrines that defiled the movement that had started with them.
Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled. Deuteronomy 22:9 NIV
The subject of not mixing seeds is one that I believe every minister, every church and every ministry should thoroughly teach and help the congregants and disciples understand. It may come off as you trying to keep people in one place but remember that to the pure all things are pure and to those whose minds are defiled, everything else is defiled (Titus 1:15). We must be able to uncompromisingly teach truth, without worrying about the numbers because in the end it won’t be about the numbers you sat, but how many came to the knowledge of truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
With that in mind, the book of Deuteronomy is an account of the Lord trying to teach Israel how to be a nation after so many years in slavery. There were many basic things that did not apply to slaves. Not only that, there were certain rules that applied to them because of who they were as the chosen of God. A great example is in our theme scripture, not to plant multiple seeds in one’s vineyard. Though this writing can be interpreted in many different ways, the core intention behind it is to be respectful of boundaries and the God-ordained order.
For example, when it comes to us as believers, I cannot stress how important it is for you to have your feet planted in one church, one community, submitted under its authority and truly undivided in heart and deeds. If you are serious about your salvation, you are aware of the need to grow in the word of God, to exercise yourself in spiritual disciplines and to be in community so that you may have accountability. Paul emphasizes the same point throughout the New Testament by using words such as “do not neglect the company of believers as some are in the habit of doing” or “submit to the governing authority for there is no authority given except by God”. This goes both to the authority in church or in government. Just as you cannot pour water or whatever form of liquid in a moving vessel, so it is with an individual that is hopping from one church to another, one pastor to another or one fellowship to another.
The Lord has set up His church in such a way that the governing authority represents a covering to all congregants that are planted and established under that house. If you are under a particular ministry, all that belongs to that house belongs to you as one under the covering of that house. Likewise, your covering is also held accountable before God concerning you if you are truly planted and established in that place. In Hebrews 13:17, Paul brings this point home in this way: “have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
We see that God holds them accountable for watching over your soul and likewise they are comforted by the same God when you are insubordinate to their counsel in that their hands shall be kept clean. A sincere minister with a shepherd heart will not lead any man under their watch in a manner that contradicts the nature of the God they serve; just like God does not go against our free will, so is the counsel of the minister supposed to be offered.
This however, is not a rule without exception. There is almost always room for evil where a lot of imperfect people are gathered and I write this conscious of the possible cases of spiritual, emotional, financial or sexual abuse that some believers have experienced at the hands of clergy men and women. Those are to be strictly purged and the people concerned are by all means advised to transition into healthier fellowships as led by the spirit. God himself holds these ministers to a higher standard of judgment than we may ever be able to do ourselves and every cover up attempt or manipulation of the system never goes unnoticed by God and is subject to judgement (James 3:1).
Child of God, there must be order in every aspect of our lives because we are begotten by a God of order. Show me a believer who is unstable, unable to hold down a job, be in one friend group, be planted in one church, a marriage, authority in their household or areas of influence and I will show you a man or /woman who has mixed seeds.
Do not be deceived, words are seeds and whatever or/ whoever you allow to speak in your life is planting seeds that will either break or make you.
Praise God!
If you have never given your life to Jesus Christ, and you feel that this is the perfect time, pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I thank you because you died for my sins and you were raised for my glory. Today, I receive you as my Lord and Savior. I am born again. Amen.”
