There are really only two ways about it. Paul lets us know in no uncertain terms that what we sow, we shall reap. In our verses today:
“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
Planting seeds of the flesh reaps corruption. And I don’t know about you, but I find that I do this without even realizing it when I don’t take my thoughts captive. It goes something like this: I wake up tired, feel grumpy, see the dirty dishes someone left in the sink, get angry and the start to my day is entirely in the flesh instead of the Spirit.
My mind is walking in the flesh instead of the Spirit.
When we invest ourselves in the flesh, it leads us down that path. We continue on the way of the flesh, and for a time it feels good. It feels good to be angry about those dishes until I see the hurt in my loved one’s eyes; then it no longer feels good, but sad and destructive. In the end, sowing in the flesh leaves us feeling empty and used. And I use a small example of dirty dishes in the sink, but sowing in the flesh can have huge ramifications. Walking down the road of sowing in the flesh can lead to bigger things like extramarital affairs or addictions. Our flesh is no joke.
So how do we do battle against the flesh and sow instead in the Spirit?
1. Preach truth to your heart. It all begins and ends in our verses from two weeks ago. It is remembering and preaching to our hearts the truths of Galatians 4, that we are NO longer a slave but instead we are a child of God. A child of God!!! Let that sink in again and again. Go back and read all of Galatians 4 today to set your mind and sow those words into your heart.
2. Choose to invest your heart, mind, and life in sowing in the Spirit. Set your mind on things above: things full of truth, goodness, and beauty. Practically this means getting into the Word each day, listening to worship music, surrounding yourself with friends that inspire and spur you on, choosing books and television that inspire truth, goodness, and beauty.
3. Don’t give up. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Our memory verse this week reminds us that sowing is an action word. It requires work, and choosing to sow in the Spirit instead of the flesh challenges us to work hard and not grow weary. Hang in there, in due season we will reap!
4. Pray. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing {1 Thessalonians 5:17}. And while that might sound overwhelming, it can simply mean to carry on an ongoing conversation with God in your heart and mind. Ask Him for help and strength throughout the day, thank Him for the blessings He’s given you, and tell Him your struggles.
Friends, I hope and pray you are encouraged by God’s Word. In Him, we’ve got this!!
Praying for you today.
With love from Uganda,
Yes! It is those little things, like the dishes, that start the fire of thinking in the flesh and can so quickly burn out of control, leaving devastation behind. Thank you for this reminder. Be Gods.
Sharon-
I agree sometimes it’s the little things that sometimes slip in that get me thinking negatively. Just this past week, my girls were on Fall break, the sink filled up quicker, the laundry piled up quicker, and the house got messier. I was grumbling one day and I felt the Lord say to me, “Be thankful you have little ones to fill the sink, to wear those clothes, and to clean up after” It changed my stinky attitude. Thank you for being with us during this study. (Jennifer, LGG Encourager)
Thank you, Joy, for sharing what the Lord is speaking through this “life passage” today, as it encourages and inspires us to live and love totally for Him. You’re an encourager and inspiration to us. I pray He will continue to bless and encourage you in the work you are doing for His kingdom.
Paula-
Thank you for your sweet comment! It blesses our hearts to know that others are praying for our leadership team. Thank you for joining us. We love you sister. (Jennifer, LGG Encourager)
I love this, and the flesh is no joke! We are in alcohol recovery in our house, and successful add is been going, it’s so easy to get back on the crazy train! I especially liked your point 2, we should surround ourselves with uplifting music and entertainment to not get ducked further down the hole. I’ve really been working on that recently and wow, what a difference is made! Thank you for all that you do, these blogs and Bible studies are a true joy to me!
Kelly, thank you for sharing! I love filling my house with worship music. I find myself praying more in the moment when I do this and it definitely gives me that uplifting boost. And the flesh is no joke that is why yielding to the Holy Spirit is so important in our success of overcoming it. I will be praying for your recovery. Step by step He leads from where we were into a new place. You are a child of the living God and He will equip you to overcome 🙂 Sheila, LGG Encourager
If you don’t know the word of God which are the truth, those things can happenend to you, doing things can make you complain, but in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” applying this word will help you take your thinking into captivity as said in 1 Corinthians 10:5. When your thoughts are aligned in His words then your work will be a J.O.Y and not a complain. Applying God’s word in our life is hard to do, it takes meditation and memorization and also the enemy of our souls does not like this, he will fight us, but it is worth it!
Marilyn so true! Knowing the Word of God is so important to us knowing how to sow in the spirit. We can think something we are doing is good because it appears good and seems right but it leads to death. So getting in the word and really knowing it in our hearts makes sowing in spiritual things possible. Sheila, LGG Encourager
Great thought from a commentary today:
We are God’s stewards, and as such we will reap a harvest in proportion to our sowing – NOT what we intended to sow or thought we had sown or knew we should have sown But that and only that which we actually did sow.
***Empower us O LORD to go forth in YOUR strength and in faith to plant bountifully – grapes and figs and not be caught in thorns and thistles. May we first give of the spiritual sacrafice of Prayer for those who teach the WORD of God to be only in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jenna,
Beautiful prayer! I love what you said ” NOT what we intended to sow or thought we had sown or knew we should have sown But that and only that which we actually did sow”. How often do we just think about what is right but not actually “do” it. Sheila, LGG Encourager
Needed this word… Thank you!
Tj, we love hearing your were blessed and this was a timely word for you! God sends us just what we need when we need it. Sheila, LGG Encourager
TJ,
It blesses us to know this was a timely word for you. God sends us what we need just when we need it. Sheila, LGG Encourager
What a wonderful blog today! I took quite a few notes in my prayer journal. This entire study is changing my life. I never realized that I had trouble accepting God’s love and blessings. I was trying to pay him back through works. I just couldn’t believe and accept in my heart that God and Jesus could just love me, want to bless me and want to make me a member of their family! I am also now accepting the power available to me through Christ, the Godhead to leave my flesh behind on the Cross and to fight back against the devil and his minions when they come to attack and tempt me. Now that I know God and am known by God, why would I want to go back to my old life?! Even with my illness I say to myself that my body must submit to the authority of God and Jesus who knitted me together in my mother’s womb and who have all authority and power to heal, restore and revive. My body has to answer to God. I am focusing less on my symptoms and more on my God! I find that I am living in victory more than I have before. Thank you all so much for your hard work, obedience and service. May God’s blessings chase you down and overtake you and your loved ones. <3