Galations 6:7

[missmuffet]

What does this verse mean to you?

Galations 6:7

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

[Fez]

What does this verse mean to you?

Galations 6:7

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

What does it mean to you?

[missmuffet]

Paul tells us that we should not be misled.We delude ourselves.We can easily be trapped by our own thinking.Our Creator will not be treated with contempt.Man will not be able to trick or deceive God.

The fruit which I reap will be consistent with the seed I have sown.I can't live my life one way and expect to receive a different kind of reward.I can't walk this earth the way I please and expect God to be pleased in the end.

Now it is your turn

[gdemoss]

What does this verse mean to you?

Galations 6:7

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Good question bopeep. Thanks for asking.

Before becoming a Christian and being born again, I simply lived a life according to my flesh. I did whatever I could to gain an advantage and improve my position in life for myself. I did whatever felt good most of the time without respect for others rights or boundaries as I did that which is right in my own eyes. After being born again, things began to change. There was a duality to my being that didn't previously exist. I had increased inner conflict as a result of being a new creature created in Christ Jesus and dwelling in a body that still contained sin. I now had to choose whether I would sew to my flesh or the Spirit.

The context in which Paul is addressing this biblical principle is in the area of personal finance. While we do extract biblical principle for the purpose of application in other areas of our lives, we need to understand things as they are presented within the context they are written so that we do not err in our extraction of the underlying principle.

First we see the 'carnal' aspect of the teaching. It is about what to do with what we have in this life as it pertains to those who are our teachers of heavenly or spiritual things.

Gal 6:6 ¶ Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Then the verse in question about God being unable to be mocked.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Followed by the explanation that simply helps us to understand that I can go about life buying a large house and filling it full of stuff for myself and those who live with me to enjoy while skimping out on rewarding my spiritual teachers and I will ultimately get what I pay for.

Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

As a basic life principle, I understand the sewing and reaping contrasting the flesh and the Spirit to be a basis for which I choose all that I do. Are my actions self-centered and earthly in nature seeking my personal benefit and investing in those who will pay dividends and increase my earthly position or possessions? Or are they of divine origin and seeking the benefit of those who I am interacting with despite any personal cost to me?

This can be difficult. Sometimes I stand to gain in a carnal way by those I help spiritually but I have to make the separation and understand that I cannot be a respecter of persons because of position but be willing to help anyone anywhere when the hand reaches out. Even if it costs me in the end.

Thanks for the discussion.

[gnomonist]

Too many times verses are quoted as stand-alone. While the "reaps what one sows" principle can be applied to many things, we must not forget the context of the passage which basically has to do with giving. Read the verse before it. We are to share materially with those who taught us (and verse 7 is the result), and uphold that person, just as the ancient Israelites upheld the Levites with the tithe. After all, they dedicated their lives to teaching and doing the Lord's work, and have to make a living. It is irritating to me to see someone drive to church with a big luxury car and then give only enough in the offering plate to maybe buy the pastor a happy meal. So, what one does (or doesn't do) with money is an indicator of spiritual health.

I get a little irritated when the apostle Paul is quoted out of context, like a one-line magical saying used to support whatever that person is pushing. Gdemoss has a good handle on what it's about, and I'm happy to see someone else does.

Edited May 12, 2013 by gnomonist

[gdemoss]

I try to look at underlying biblical principle by seeking the mouth of two or three witnesses within the scriptures. Context is very important as has been noted above.

First lets hear Paul say the exact same thing regarding giving unto those who minister unto you but to a different church:

1Cr 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, [is it] a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

Second Paul uses the principle to speak about the resurrection of the dead and new bodies. It is a slightly different angle but the sewing and reaping principle is there.

1Cr 15:35 ¶ But some [man] will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

1Cr 15:36 [Thou] fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

1Cr 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other [grain]:

1Cr 15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

1Cr 15:39 All flesh [is] not the same flesh: but [there is] one [kind of] flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, [and] another of birds.

1Cr 15:40 [There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another.

1Cr 15:41 [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for [one] star differeth from [another] star in glory.

1Cr 15:42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

1Cr 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

1Cr 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

1Cr 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.

1Cr 15:46 Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

1Cr 15:47 The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven.

1Cr 15:48 As [is] the earthy, such [are] they also that are earthy: and as [is] the heavenly, such [are] they also that are heavenly.

1Cr 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Again, Paul speaking to the Corinthians reaffirms that the principle is sound when it comes to giving:

2Cr 9:6 ¶ But this [i say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Not as clearly seen but still there is the principle in Jesus teaching on judging one another:

Mat 7:1 ¶ Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

A careful observation of the text shows that what you sew you reap but he fails to use the sewing analogy.

Jesus on sewing and reaping as it pertains to giving:

Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Solomon on sewing and reaping through giving:

Pro 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Pro 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

The Psalmist on sewing and reaping:

Psa 112:9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

We can take it a lot further as we go through the scriptures looking at sewing and reaping. I could go all Hebrews 11 on you and begin with saying that time would fail me to tell of Cain and his seeds of hate or the Amorites and the fullness of their iniquities sewn, the rotten fruit of Davids sin, the blossoms of Gideons faith, we could add to the list many such occurances where we see one reap what they sew such as Jezebel and the dogs licking up her blood from her wickedness finding her out or Elijah's seeds of righteousness that reaped a whirlwind of no rain through prayer.

God is and he is the rewarder of them who diligently seek him but we must sew in order to reap. Peace is only in Christ.

[TheresaJ]

What does this verse mean to you?

Galations 6:7

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Well it is telling us not to deceive ourselves by thinking we can sin over and over and not be punished by the Just God. If we live good lives and do all that God commands us to do then we will reap eternal life but if we spurn God and live a life of sin we shall eternal death in the fires of Hell.

Edited May 12, 2013 by TheresaJ

[missmuffet]

What does this verse mean to you?

Galations 6:7

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Well it is telling us not to deceive ourselves by thinking we can sin over and over and not be punished by the Just God. If we live good lives and do all that God commands us to do then we will reap eternal life but if we spurn God and live a life of sin we shall eternal death in the fires of Hell.

Yes,a good example of this is someone who is a Christian and continues to not follow God.This person says "Well,that is ok when I am done having my fun I will ask for forgivness and my slate will be wiped clean.

[Guest]

My LORD And My God

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:31-34

I Love You So

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:35-39

~

What does this verse mean to you?

Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Well it is telling us not to deceive ourselves by thinking we can sin over and over and not be punished by the Just God. If we live good lives and do all that God commands us to do then we will reap eternal life but if we spurn God and live a life of sin we shall eternal death in the fires of Hell.

Who Is?

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Romans 3:10-12

The Shepherd Of Your Soul?

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. John 10:7-16

And Dear Sister Whatever Would You Think

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

A Grateful Body Could Do

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Proverbs 139:23-24

To Love And Adore

What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.Psalms 116:12-13

Him?

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:3-4

~

Believe

I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:12-15

And Be Blessed Beloved

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Love, Joe

[JTC]

Bopeep, I think you understand those scriptures correctly.