Mission Venture Ministries

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:7-9) 

Sowing and reaping is more than just an agricultural principle; it is also a law of the spiritual world.

Anything we put our time, energy, money, or focus on is an act of sowing. Reaping is the results or consequences of what we’ve sown. 

There are natural consequences to our actions. The world operates under the law of cause and effect. There is no way around it, every time we choose an action; we also choose the consequences of that action. 

This principle works both positively and negatively. “The one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward” (Proverbs 11:18), but “whoever sows injustice reaps calamity” (Proverbs 22:8). 

The law of sowing and reaping is related to the law of multiplication. Jesus spoke of seed that brought forth “a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:8). A grain of wheat produces a whole head of grain; likewise, sowing spiritual good seeds or evil seeds can produce a series of positive or negative consequences. 

It is true God forgives all our past sins if we genuinely repent, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and came down from heaven to save us, paying for our sins on the cross. He is a compassionate God, but we cannot mock Him because there will be a due punishment. 

Many men in the Bible reaped fruits of their seeds even after receiving forgiveness from God. Here are a few examples:

• Moses could not enter the Promised Land due to the seed of disobedience. (Deuteronomy 32:51-52)
• David suffered the consequence of his own sins because of the seed he sowed willfully due to his lust and power. (1 Chronicles 22:8)
• Jacob, who cheated his brother, ended up being cheated by his own father-in-law. (Genesis 29:14-30) 

God will settle our accounts as well and we will reap what we sow in this world. This principle applies to everyone, both Christians and non-Christians; it is irrevocable and there is no escape, either for the believer or for the unbeliever.

In life we are given two choices: 

1.     Either we sow to the flesh – “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:8a). This involves the works of the flesh described in Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” 

Consequently, those who sow to the flesh reap corruption, sorrow, disease, damnation and they will not inherit the kingdom of God and will instead experience the wrath of God!  (Ephesians 5:5-7)

 2.     Or we sow to the Spirit – “the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8b). This requires walking in the Spirit. As a result, those who sow to the Spirit reap everlasting life, abundant life, salvation. They will also reap the fruit of the Spirit which is: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).  

Galatians 5:16-17 tells us: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  

We either do one or the other; so which will it be? 

We should sow to the spirit by doing good to all, especially brethren – “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10).  

What we become is due to the decisions we make each moment of every day. We have the option to change, if we do not like what we have become. We can turn to Christ and He will help us when we make Him the Lord and Savior of our life: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  

Paul tells us: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2).  

So by practicing His presence we become a new person. There will be a dynamic transformation in our life when we are living under His Lordship; when this takes place, we will know it; others will know it and all of heaven will be aware of the transforming power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our life. 

It is vital that we identify what occupies and dominates our life, thoughts, desires and actions each day.  We should be asking ourselves. Is my mind fixed on how I can please my God and Savior in every thing that I say, think and do?  Do I long to worship and honor Him more humbly and fervently? Can I honestly say that I have unconditionally surrendered my life and will to His absolute Lordship? Or am I still running my life my way?  

Am I only thinking of what I desire and want, my plans and goals, what will gratify me now, not considering and obeying the commands of God that He has given me in the Bible?

Eternal life awaits those who are willing to sow to the Spirit by obeying God’s Word and He will give eternal life “to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality” (Romans 2:7). 

God told Jeremiah: “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve” (Jeremiah 17:10). 

Therefore, always remember that everything we sow has a direct consequence on what we reap now or in the future, and that we reap more than we sow.

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