Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:8)
Have you ever wondered what you get when you plant apple seeds? Apple trees. Do you know what you get when you plant pumpkin seeds? Pumpkins.
Here’s a more serious question: what do you get when you embrace a lifestyle contrary to what God desires and push Him away? Whatever the fruit of your sinful sowing is. It’s all part of the Law of Sowing and Reaping.
The Bible teaches this Law, and history proves its validity. I have a friend who likes to call me “The Prophet.” It’s an ongoing joke that we have, and I can assure you that I’m really not a prophet in the sense of Hosea or other Old Testament prophets. However, I do have an understanding of the Law of Sowing and Reaping.
Paul talks about this in Galatians 6:7-8: he says whatever you sow, you will reap. If you sow consuming large amounts of alcohol, then you reap the consequences of drunkenness (i.e. potential driving accidents, anger issues, wasted money, loss of job, etc.). If you sow promiscuous relationships, then you reap the consequences of being promiscuous (i.e. diseases, unwed pregnancies, etc.). If you sow the seeds of dishonesty, then you reap the consequences of being dishonest (i.e. no one trusts you, relationships are hurt, etc.).
The nation of Israel sowed seeds of unrighteousness, and they faced the consequences of being cut off from God until they turned around. It’s not hard to consider how your actions will affect your future when you understand this Law.
So are you sowing any seeds in places where you don’t wish to reap? If so, the way to avoid the reaping is to stop the sowing. It’s only a matter of time before your seeds begin to produce a crop. Instead, sow seeds of honesty, self-control, Godly living, and the like, and you will reap a return beyond what you can imagine.
Father, help me to remember the Law of Sowing and Reaping. When I’m at a crossroads and have to decide what I’m going to do, give me the wisdom to pause and look down the path to see what sorts of seeds I am sowing. Let me sow seeds that are pleasing to You, and help me to sow a harvest of righteousness.
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