One of the things that the scriptures say but most of us Christians do not take seriously is the spiritual law of sowing and reaping.
In the natural realm, we call this by many things;
Input and output, cause and effect, action and consequence. To name a few.
Even people adhering to false religions and false spiritual ideologies understand this principle. Though they may call it by another name.
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. Galatians 6:7-9
The positive outcome of sowing, which brings a good benefit, is often focused on, to the detriment of the adverse effects that result from sowing that result in a bad outcome.
Being deceived is the result of not taking this spiritual law seriously.
By nature, I’m an analytical person. It’s a personality trait that some in my family find annoying, but from my perspective, I’d rather know the truth about something than live my life in pain because I failed to look into a matter.
Due to ignorance, most of us including myself do the same dumb thing, over and over again, ending up with the same dumb results.
My dumb results piled up until I had a mountain of dumb results.
I guess it takes a hammer to fall on my head before I get it, but better late than never.
When I realized that my actions in life resulted in my bad outcomes, I had to do a great deal of repenting.
I did the same thing everyone else did when bad things happened to them. I blamed God or the devil.
When that didn’t do me any good but only gave me another big fat headache, I started seeking God. Why? Why? Why?
I took every nut and bolt apart. With God’s help, he showed me the ins and outs of a good deal of my problems.
Don’t get me wrong. There is a devil who wants to beat your brains out, BUT did you know that Satan can do nothing to you without your permission? That is unless you violate scripture.
‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:27,30
When I went to the Lord with my why he gave me back his whats.
Why did this happen?
What did you do?
Huh?
What did you do?
Well…
I began to see that most of the time I was getting back what I had given out.
They were mean to me.
Were you mean to others?
Well…
Why did you let this happen?
Didn’t you judge somebody going through something similar?
Uh, yeah.
After a while, I discovered that I was reaping many bad effects from my bad actions.
To tell you the truth most of my bad outcomes in life were due to my bad actions or the bad actions of others.
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin. John 19:19
When I finally got this revelation, I started changing things big time.
I started rearranging my attitude instead of rearranging someone else’s attitude.
I also started keeping my mouth shut. Making critical judgments and lambasting others wasn’t something I would play around with anymore. I might as well place my palm on a hot iron! No thanks.
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Proverbs 13:3
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36,37
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Matthew 7:1-3
But I needed a strategy to stay sane! How was I going to bear all the negative inputs from others? I was responsible for my actions but what about the actions of others toward me?
God, in his mercy, gave me some good advice.
Turn your complaints into prayers.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43-45:
Be nice. It doesn’t hurt.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22
Persevere in affliction. Pray it through. There’s a reason it’s called laboring in prayer!
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:1-8
Forgive right away. Never and I mean never, hold a grudge. Might as well
be suffering a three-day hangover than be out of God’s presence. That feels awful!
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14
Go out of your way. You’d be surprised at how good that feels. While your flesh may be having a bit of uncomfortableness, your spirit will soar!
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Psalm 37:3
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Lastly, pray and do good even if you get no credit. No one thanks you, no one notices, or no one cares.
Remember the Lord is watching!
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Luke 11:1-4
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Colossians 3:23,24
Am I perfect now? Flawless? Grown angel wings? Hardly, but one thing I’m not anymore is deceived.
I know that whatever I sow in this life, good or bad, is what I will end up reaping. Knowing this truth is liberating because, with God’s help, I will have more positive outcomes from giving more positive inputs.
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