When farmers harvest wheat, they need to remove the stalk and the outer shell, called the chaff, to get to the kernel. They have to beat the wheat plant to separate what is useful from what is useless. Jesus uses this as an example of how God will come for His followers. One day God will come for His people like a farmer separating the wheat from the chaff.
Matthew 3:12
“His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
A Winnowing Fork
A winnowing fork is used to separate the long stalks of wheat from the kernels. It also beats off the outer layer of the kernel known as the chaff. The heavier wheat kernel would fall to the floor, and the lighter stalk would be tossed into the fire. It’s the kernel that is ground to produce flour. Everything else is useless. Jesus uses this analogy to tell us how God will separate what is valuable from what is useless.
Remove the Chaff
You will go through times where God will remove unnecessary things from your life. Things that helped you grow in the past will be winnowed away so that what is valuable can be revealed and used. Don’t cling to these but instead, let go and allow God to do the necessary work in your heart. Spiritual growth always necessitates removal as much as it does addition.
Separating the Wheat from the Chaff
If God is removing the outer shells from your life, it is because He wants to reveal His true design for your life. Don’t hide behind the shiny “chaff” that makes you look good on the outside but, in reality, is useless. God will bring the true believers into his barn (heaven), and the fake will be burned off. Allow Him to do the work in your heart.