Paul Sommers
Author: Stephen Weller
1,368 words, 7 minutes read time
You Reap What You Sow
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 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 ESV)
To be deceived is to be mislead into believing something that is not true, usually in order to gain some personal advantage. God informs us in the Scriptures that we are to sow to the Spirit not to the flesh. But one might mock God by setting aside what he says is important and goes his own way. God told Adam what was best, but he decided to ignore that advice and did what he wants to do and as a result brings spiritual death to the human race.
God has created seeds to always produce after their kind. One does not expect to plant wheat and get corn instead. The kind of seeds we sow will be the kind of seeds we will harvest. In 1 Corinthians 6:9, Paul tells us that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God, “but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).
17 “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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 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 5:17 – 21 ESV). The one who sows to his own flesh is the one who seeks to satisfy the desires of the flesh, is unsaved and is under the control of his sin and as a result will reap corruption and will remain on the path to eternal death.
The one who seeks to walk by the Spirit, who sows to the Spirit, enjoys the 22 “fruit of the Spirit [which] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV), has spiritual life and reaps the benefits of eternal life.
What kind of seeds are we sowing? Are they selected for our own pleasure and gain, to bring glory to self, or are the seeds selected and sown to the Spirit to the glory of God? Sowing to the flesh is never fully satisfying and leaves one seeking for more. Sowing to the Spirit is satisfying as God freely shares with us from the kindness of his grace the fulness of life. Father thank you for the benefits one reaps from sowing to the Spirit.
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Summary Theme
Sowing and Reaping: The Spiritual Principle of Living According to the Flesh or the Spirit
Summary Paragraph
In Galatians 6:7–8, Paul the Apostle warns believers that God cannot be deceived and that every person ultimately reaps what they sow. The passage presents a spiritual law established by God: actions, desires, and daily choices produce corresponding results. To sow to the flesh is to live according to sinful desires, self-centered pursuits, and worldly priorities, which ultimately lead to corruption and spiritual ruin. In contrast, to sow to the Spirit is to live in obedience to God, pursuing holiness, truth, and eternal values, resulting in eternal life and spiritual fruit. Paul’s words are both a warning and an encouragement, reminding believers that daily decisions shape spiritual growth, character, and eternal reward. The passage emphasizes personal responsibility, the certainty of God’s justice, and the hope of eternal life for those who faithfully walk in the Spirit.
Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:
1. What does Paul mean when he says, “God is not mocked”?
Extended Answer:
Paul means that God cannot be fooled, ignored, or treated with contempt without consequences. People may deceive others or justify sinful behavior in their own minds, but God sees the heart and knows the true nature of every action and motive. The phrase reminds believers that God’s moral order cannot be overturned. A person cannot continually live in rebellion against God while expecting spiritual blessing and peace. God’s justice and holiness ensure that actions carry consequences. This warning challenges believers to live honestly before God, recognizing that He sees beyond outward appearances into the condition of the heart.
2. What is the meaning of the principle “whatever one sows, that will he also reap”?
Extended Answer:
Paul uses the imagery of farming to explain spiritual reality. A farmer harvests the kind of seed he plants, and in the same way, people experience results that correspond to their choices and actions. Sinful living produces destruction, brokenness, and separation from God, while obedience to the Spirit produces righteousness, spiritual maturity, and eternal reward. The principle also teaches that spiritual growth usually develops gradually over time. Just as crops do not appear overnight, the results of faithful obedience often grow slowly through consistent choices. This truth encourages believers to persevere in godliness because faithful spiritual sowing eventually produces a harvest of blessing.
3. What does it mean to “sow to the flesh”?
Extended Answer:
To sow to the flesh means to invest one’s life in sinful desires, selfish ambitions, worldly pleasures, and attitudes that oppose God’s will. The “flesh” refers to humanity’s fallen nature that seeks independence from God. Sowing to the flesh includes sinful actions, but it also includes living with pride, bitterness, greed, envy, or spiritual neglect. Paul warns that this path leads to corruption, meaning spiritual decay and destruction. Sin may appear satisfying for a season, but it ultimately damages the soul and separates people from the fullness of life God intends. This warning calls believers to examine where they are investing their thoughts, time, desires, and energy.
4. What does it mean to “sow to the Spirit”?
Extended Answer:
To sow to the Spirit means to live in submission to the Holy Spirit and invest in things that honor God. This includes prayer, worship, studying Scripture, obedience, serving others, loving people, resisting sin, and pursuing holiness. Sowing to the Spirit is a daily choice to follow God’s direction rather than the desires of the flesh. Paul teaches that this kind of life produces eternal life, not merely as a future destination but as a present experience of fellowship with God and spiritual transformation. A believer who consistently walks in the Spirit gradually reflects the character of Christ and experiences spiritual fruitfulness.
5. Why is the law of sowing and reaping important for believers to understand?
Extended Answer:
This principle helps believers understand that daily choices matter deeply. Small decisions, habits, and attitudes shape spiritual direction over time. The law of sowing and reaping encourages personal responsibility and perseverance. It reminds believers that spiritual growth requires intentional investment and that sin carries serious consequences. At the same time, it gives hope because faithful obedience is never wasted in God’s kingdom. Even when spiritual progress seems slow or unnoticed, God promises that a harvest will come in His time. Understanding this principle motivates believers to remain faithful, pursue holiness, and trust that God honors lives surrendered to Him.
6. How does this passage encourage perseverance in the Christian life?
Extended Answer:
Galatians 6:7–8 teaches that spiritual effort has eternal value. Believers may become discouraged when obedience is difficult or when immediate results are not visible, but Paul reminds them that God sees every act of faithfulness. Just as planting and harvesting require patience, spiritual growth develops over time. The passage encourages believers not to give up when facing temptation, hardship, or spiritual weariness. Every act of obedience, every moment spent pursuing God, and every sacrifice made for righteousness contributes to a future harvest. This assurance strengthens believers to continue walking faithfully with God even during difficult seasons.
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