Good morning. The Word of God is filled with truths, and some of them are, shall we say…uncomfortable. Some of the realities that the Word points out to us can make us cringe at the implications and revelations as we remember times when those truths hit home in our lives.
One verse that seems innocuous enough on the surface has grave implications when we consider it. I am speaking of Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. Whatever a person sows, that is also what that person will reap.
It makes perfect sense, if a farmer plants corn in the spring he or she can expect to harvest corn in the fall. If he or she was hoping for soybeans or cantaloupe…too bad. From a farming perspective, even if we are talking about a few tomato plants on the back deck, what you plant is what you get. There isn’t anything about that truth that should make anyone uncomfortable.
But if we take that analogy and place it into our daily lives there is no doubt that the outcome can make us fidget around in our chairs.
For instance, when we speak, the words we choose to say are like seeds planted in fertile ground. The words will bring back a harvest of peace or conflict, of joy or sorrow, of encouragement or discouragement. We all know from our personal experience that this is true.
But what about words of anger shared only with our spouse or a dear friend? I am not suggesting they were words of anger attributable to their actions and therefore aimed at them. No, just words of anger in general that we share with someone we trust enough not to blab them around and get us into trouble. Will they grow a “crop” of ill feelings? Unfortunately, the answer is often “yes.” Words have their effect. It may take a while for that troublesome crop to grow, but it will.
How about regrettable words that we keep to ourselves? Surely they won’t grow into something nasty! You know that they do, at least if we make a habit of saying things to ourselves that are harsh and regrettable.
The answer of course is to keep our thoughts, and therefore our words, in the right place. One of my favorite reminders of this comes from Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Plant well my friends. Harsh words will bring a harvest that is difficult to swallow while words that are well chosen and encouraging will bring a harvest of friendship and peace.
Vern