“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” – Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
As a child, I often heard, “You reap what you sow.” In other words, how you behave and what you say and do, are known to God. Nothing gets by Him. Our actions, behavior, choices, and words are seeds. So if your actions, behavior, choices, and words are not pleasing to God then you’re planting bad seeds.
Jesus often spoke in parables. The parable of the sower in Mathew 13:1-9 (ESV) says, “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.’”
Jesus often spoke like this because not everyone understands the gospel. That parable is about the kingdom of God. “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.” – Matthew 13:19 (ESV)
What you sow is what you reap. In other words, sow according to what you hope to reap and what you hope to gain from the seeds planted. For instance, don’t sow to your flesh, if you want to reap eternal life. You will reap corruption. You can’t be sowing to the flesh and be praying that you will reap eternal life. Our actions have consequences.
Plant what is pleasing to God because harvest time will come. If you don’t like your harvest, change the seeds you’re sowing. You can’t expect a good harvest when you’re planting bad seeds. For instance, using drugs, gossiping, stealing, and hate, to name just a few are not good seeds. Think before you act and ask yourself, “Is this pleasing to God, and am I planting good seeds?”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Your parables are amazing. Thank You for showing us that we reap what we sow. Show those who have planted bad seeds, that You won’t allow a harvest different than what has been sown. Being careful with our words and actions is a step towards a bountiful harvest.
Amen.
Written by: Laurie Davis
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