The principle of sowing and reaping

The principle of sowing and reaping

Charles Stanley

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭6‬ ESV)

We have to be careful with the seeds that we sow in our children. They will reap in adulthood what was sown. 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he 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. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭7-10‬ ESV)

Are we training our children in the important things of life?

Sowing to the flesh: the attitude within us that wants to live and act independently from God.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16-17‬ ESV)

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭19-21‬ ESV)

Sowing means craving, absorbing and accepting.

Corruption is a form of death that happens over time.

Sowing to the spirit is putting the word of God and it's things into your heart and life.

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. (‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ESV)

Are we sowing things of eternal value in our life?

Do our associations contribute to our godliness or hinder?

Life principle: You reap what you sow, more than what you sow, and later than when you sow.

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. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭8-9‬ ESV)

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

...

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭1, 9-10‬ ESV)

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬ ESV)

Ask yourself if your thoughts and actions will contribute to your flesh or your spirit?

Don't be weary in doing what's right because God will honor that.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9-10‬ ESV)

All of us have the opportunity to sow seeds in the lives of our friends. We have the opportunity to impact people for good.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22-23‬ ESV)

Are feeding ourselves spiritual food or corruption that will influence our eternal destiny?