SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1158

“Sowing Seeds”

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. – Galatians 6:7-8

I was shopping for Grass seed recently and noticed a wide disparity in price. Upon closer examination of the labels it became evident that the price varied with the purity of the seed. The less expensive product had higher concentrations of weed seed, crop seed, inert matter and sometimes noxious weeds.

As Christians in this fallen world we sow seeds of the Gospel Message with every interaction with others. How pure is your seed?

Inert matter does nothing and adds no value. How many times have we held our tongue and remained silent when prompted by the Holy Spirit to speak the Truth of the Gospel to someone? Oh, Lord, forgive me of the times I was afraid to speak up and quenched the leading of Your Spirit. Give me boldness of faith to plant the seeds of Your Gospel as you direct.

But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money… He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master… I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ – Matthew 25:18-25

Weed, crop and noxious seeds are impurities that detract from and choke the Gospel Message that we ‘preach’ by our words and actions. These seeds bear the fruit of the works of the flesh along with injustice (Proverbs 22:8) and discord (Proverbs 6:16-19).

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

The pure seed bear righteousness and the fruit of the Spirit.

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

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. – Hosea 10:12

It takes time for planted seed to germinate and grow. Sometimes we grow impatient that for all the seed planting we do into some people’s lives that it seems to no avail and we want to give up. We must continue to pray and wait for the Lord.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! – 1 Corinthians 3:6 – Psalm 27:14