The Bible speaks much about Sowing and Reaping.

In Proverbs 22:8 Solomon said, "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity..."

 

Hosea 8:7 - The Prophet Hosea said, "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind..." Matthew 7:16-18 records the words of the Lord Jesus - "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit: but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

 

In Galatians 6:7-9 the Apostle Paul said - "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

 

Again, in 2 Corinthians 9:6 Paul said, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

 

Sowing and Reaping is a universal law that is in effect twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, thirty days a month, and twelve months of the year. Whether we believe in this law, recognize this law, or are aware that it is affecting our lives, it is in full operation.

 

The Word of God is True. It is settled in heaven. It will never change. It assures us that whatever we sow today, we will most definitely reap in our tomorrow's. There are no "and's, "if's", or "but's" about it. It is a sure thing! If you sow wheat today, you will reap wheat at some future date. Everything produces after its own kind.

 

The Lord Jesus admonished us not to expect thorns to produce grapes or thistles to produce figs. Spiritually speaking, good seeds produce good fruit; corrupt seeds produce corrupt fruit.

 

Consequently, there are two questions that we need to ask ourselves at this point. The most crucial of all questions is - What kind of seeds are we sowing into our lives?

 

Job 4:8 mentions sowing wickedness, while Hosea 10:12 mentions sowing righteousness.

 

Job 4:8 - "Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." 

Hosea 10:12 - "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy..."
                                                                                

Proverbs 22:8 refers to sowing iniquity while Proverbs 11:18 refers to sowing righteousness -

 

Proverbs 22:8 - "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity..."

 

Proverbs 11:18 - "...to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward." 
                                                                                

Galatians 6:8 informs us that we are either sowing to the flesh or sowing to the Spirit - "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." 
                                                                                

What kind of seeds are we sowing into our lives? Are we sowing seeds of wickedness, idolatry, stubbornness, rebellion, control, manipulation, pride, hypocrisy, deception, lust, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc.? Or are we sowing seeds of goodness, justice, truthfulness, rightness, virtue, purity, holiness, forgiveness, and love?

 

Are we making provision each day for the indulgences of our fleshly appetites and passions?

Or are we living under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit, living a holy and devoted life to God and a life of usefulness and serviceableness to mankind?

 

We are either sowing to our flesh or sowing to the Spirit of God. Which is it?

 

Seeds! Seeds! Seeds! Daily we are sowing into our lives by the things which we think, say, and do. Daily we allow others to sow into our lives by the things which we see others do and hear others speak. 
What kind of seeds are we allowing into our lives? Are they of the flesh or of the Spirit?

 

It is time to take inventory. Sowing to our flesh will most assuredly bring us ruin, destruction, and eternal torment in hell. Are we fully aware of the consequences of our actions here? On the other hand, sowing to the Spirit - following the leadings of the Spirit and cultivating the affections which He produces in our lives - will bring forth everlasting life.

 

Another important question to ask ourselves is - How much seed are we sowing for tomorrow's harvest?

 

In 2 Corinthians 9:6 the Apostle Paul taught us that we can sow sparingly or we can sow bountifully. How much of the flesh are we catering to each day? How much SIN, compromise, and worldliness are we allowing in our lives? Are we continuously memorizing and meditating on God's Word? Are we setting our affections on things above and not on the things of the earth? Are we speaking what God says about us? Are we surrounding ourselves with godly influences such as edifying and Biblical reading materials and ON-FIRE friends and fellowship? Are we in constant communion with God in prayer, acknowledging Him in all of our ways?

 

One very important principle to consider is the fact that one seed always produces bountifully after its kind. In fact, one seed planted in the right kind of soil can produce fruit thirty-fold, sixty-fold, or one hundredfold. Hosea 8:7 - Hence we glean understanding of the Prophet Hosea's words - "They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind..."
                                                                                

We always get more than we bargained for. Therefore, tomorrow we may reap with a BLESSED increase or an ATROCIOUS increase, depending upon today's sowing. If today we sow wickedness, iniquity, or to our flesh, tomorrow we will reap a horrid harvest of lukewarmness, backsliding, apostasy, destruction, and utter ruin to our lives. On the other hand, if today we sow to righteousness and to the Spirit, tomorrow we will find great mercy, grace, peace, victory, authority, spiritual strength to withstand our enemies, and an enhanced anointing for service.

 

Which will it be - Sowing to the Flesh or Sowing to the Spirit?

 

Perhaps after reading this message, you have been convicted of the Holy Spirit of certain things in your Christian walk that, unless repented of, are setting you up for a fall or destruction. Let this day be your day of reckoning. Call on Jesus for His enabling grace. Repent of all wrongdoing. Begin sowing seeds of righteousness into your Christian life. Yield every area of your life to the Holy Spirit. Then expect a Great and Blessed Future of peace, joy, and love for it is surely coming your way. You can count on it!

 

Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano