In the Bible, this imagery is powerfully captured in Matthew 3:12, where John the Baptist describes Jesus with a winnowing fork in His hand, ready to clear His threshing floor. The clarity and urgency of that image has often challenged me: what parts of my life would be gathered as precious grain, and what parts would be burned away as chaff? This question often humbles me, reminding me that being called a Christian is not enough. The evidence of a transformed, fruitful life must be visible, not only to others but first to God Himself.
I realize that the process of winnowing is not only about judgment but also about deep love and purification. God does not delight in the chaff being thrown away; rather, He longs for the grain—the true, sincere parts of our hearts—to be preserved, cherished, and used for His glory. There have been times in my own life when I have felt the tossing, the shaking, the seemingly painful process of being winnowed. Seasons of disappointment, of unanswered prayers, of personal failure—they have all felt like the tossing of the grain in the air, the exposure of my heart to the harsh winds of trial. Yet in hindsight, I now recognize that these were not seasons of abandonment but seasons of deep refining.
Luke 22:31-32 has taken on new meaning for me in those seasons. Jesus’s words to Peter, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail," reveal the tender reality of spiritual testing. I find comfort in knowing that even when I face severe trials, Jesus is interceding for me. He is not far away, observing passively. He is actively praying, strengthening, and preserving my faith. The image of being sifted is sobering, but it is also reassuring, because it shows that trials are not meaningless—they have divine purpose.
In the quiet moments of prayer and reflection, I have often asked myself: what is the "chaff" in my life? Is it pride? Fear? An unhealthy dependence on human approval? Is it laziness in spiritual disciplines, or distractions from worldly desires? Galatians 5:22-23 gives me a clear standard to measure myself by—the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When I lack these qualities, I know that there is still chaff clinging to my heart, and that I must willingly submit to God’s refining hand.
The metaphor of the eritei also reminds me that sanctification is a lifelong process. It is not a one-time event but an ongoing, sometimes painful, but ultimately beautiful journey. Malachi 3:3 describes God as a refiner of silver, sitting close by the fire, patiently and attentively purifying the metal until He can see His own image reflected in it. I imagine God, using the circumstances of my life—the joyful, the painful, the mundane—as the heat that purifies me. I am encouraged that God does not give up on me when impurities are found. Instead, He continues the work patiently until I am made into a vessel fit for His use.
Interestingly, when an eritei becomes worn out—its weaving loose, its surface rough and unable to perform its function—women and girls in my community do not immediately discard it. Instead, they pick cow dung, smear it carefully over the surface of the eritei, and then place it under the hot sun to dry. Once dried, the eritei is restored, strengthened, and ready for use once again. This simple but profound practice reminds me that God, too, does not discard us when we are broken or weakened. Instead, He lovingly repairs and restores us, using means that may seem humble or uncomfortable to us. The restoration process is not glamorous, but it is necessary and beautiful. It is a reminder that healing and renewal often come through unexpected and humbling means.
Today’s world demands discernment more than ever. In an age where social media, pop culture, and even some pulpits blend truth with subtle deception, I realize that the winnowing is not just something that happens internally but also externally. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 urges us to "test everything; hold fast to what is good. Reject every kind of evil." This means I must cultivate a discerning spirit, anchored in God’s Word, able to recognize truth and reject falsehood. The eritei is not passive; it requires the farmer’s skillful hand, an intentional act of separating. Similarly, I must be intentional about guarding my heart and mind.
I have also seen how this imagery applies within the wider body of Christ. Within the church, where many claim allegiance to Christ, there is a need for winnowing. The pursuit of power, the watering down of truth to suit culture, and the commercialization of the Gospel all call for a discerning, purifying move of God. It is not enough to appear religious; true transformation must happen. As painful as it is, winnowing within the church purifies the community of believers, restoring authenticity and zeal for God’s purposes.
One of the most personal prayers that emerges from this reflection is this: "Lord, winnow me." It is not an easy prayer to pray because it invites discomfort and loss. It welcomes seasons where God says no, where God says wait, or where God says let go. Yet, I realize that without His winnowing, I would remain full of impurities, half-hearted, and ultimately unusable. I want my life to bear the marks of the Spirit’s refining work, to have the fragrance of Christ, not just a shallow appearance of faith.
As I continue to grow, I pray for a heart that welcomes God’s refining work rather than resists it. I pray for the humility to recognize the chaff in my life and the courage to let it go. I pray for discernment in a noisy world, and for an enduring faith that remains strong even when tossed and tested. I pray that when Christ, the master Winnower, looks upon my life, He will find good grain—faith that perseveres, love that endures, and hope that shines even in the darkest seasons.
May we all come before God with open hands and surrendered hearts, asking Him to refine us until only Christ remains visible in us. Just as a farmer treasures the grain and discards the chaff, so too does our Father treasure every purified soul.
Lord, winnow me. Winnow us all.
Amen.
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