The principle that a person reaps what they sow is a concept that originates in Galatians 6:7, which states “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” This conveys the idea that our actions, whether good or bad, will return to affect us in kind. If we plant seeds of righteousness, we will reap blessing and peace. But if we sow seeds of sin and unrighteousness, we will reap hardship and turmoil. Let’s explore the meaning and implications of this verse more fully.
The Context of Galatians 6:7
Galatians 6:7 falls within Paul’s letter to the Galatian church. The Galatians were struggling with false teachers who claimed Christians needed to follow Jewish ceremonial laws and traditions to be saved. Paul wrote to correct this harmful teaching and clarify the sufficiency of salvation by faith alone. The verse about reaping what is sown comes as Paul urges the Galatians to restore believers who had been led astray, and to walk in love and truth toward one another.
After warning against false pride, Paul cautions the Galatians against self-deception in verse 7. They are not to think they can “mock” or disregard God’s standards without consequence. Despite the lies of the false teachers, God’s truth stands sure – there are always repercussions for our choices and actions, whether good or bad.
The Meaning of “A Man Reaps What He Sows”
On the surface, Galatians 6:7 is referring to principles of agriculture and planting. What is sown in a field – whether corn, wheat, vegetables, or weeds – produces a harvest of the very same kind. A farmer who sows corn can expect to reap a harvest of corn, not cucumbers or thistles. By extension, this illustrates the moral principle that our deeds, good or evil, produce fitting results in life.
Several aspects of meaning can be drawn regarding how we reap what we sow:
- Personal responsibility – We bear responsibility for our choices and cannot blame others for the consequences we reap. If we sow bad choices, we reap the results.
- Action and result are related – There is an intrinsic connection between what we do and what happens as a result. Sowing and reaping are tied together.
- Effects match their cause – The harvest matches the crop sown. Righteousness reaps blessing, evil reaps trouble, generosity reaps thanks, stinginess reaps poverty, etc.
- Results often take time – Harvesting follows sowing after a season of growth. We may not reap the full effects of choices right away.
- Reaping is greater than sowing – The harvest is naturally greater than what was planted. A few corn seeds produce bushels of corn. A small act of sin can spiral into greater evil.
Examples of How We Reap What We Sow
Here are some examples that illustrate the principle of reaping and sowing at work in practical life situations:
- A student crams the night before a test rather than studying diligently all semester. He reaps low marks and stress while diligent classmates reap good scores.
- An employee invests extra time helping colleagues. She reaps increased respect and opportunities for promotion.
- A husband is repeatedly cold and critical toward his wife. He reaps a strained marriage and emotional distance in their relationship.
- A politician leverages fear and distortion in his campaign. He reaps public distrust and an inability to govern effectively.
- A reckless driver ignores traffic laws and speeds excessively. He reaps the potential for accidents, injuries, tickets, insurance rate hikes, etc.
In each case, the natural consequences that resulted matched the actions taken, whether good or bad. We can all likely think of examples in our own lives where we reaped positive or negative outcomes that directly stemmed from the “seeds” we had earlier planted through our conduct.
A Warning Against Self-Deception
“Do not be deceived” is a key phrase in Galatians 6:7. The verse warns us that we cannot play games with God or pretend that our sins and choices do not have consequences attached. We cannot blithely live as we please and presume God will overlook it. Those who sow to please their sinful nature while claiming Christ will reap corruption, warns Paul (Galatians 6:8). This is strong language against self-deception.
Attempting to mock or disregard God’s moral laws is foolish and dangerous. Those who sow sin may seem to get away with it for a time. But a just and all-knowing God ensures the harvest will come, if not always in this life, then in eternity. There are always consequences to bad choices. No one ultimately escapes the truth that we reap what we sow.
Applying the Principle in Life
Since Galatians 6:7 is a universal spiritual principle rooted in God’s justice and wisdom, it contains helpful guidance for living. Some applications include:
- Being future-focused – Consider how today’s choices affect tomorrow’s consequences before acting.
- Making wise decisions – Contemplate how options before you will sow to your benefit or detriment down the road.
- Persevering despite challenges – Understand present trials may be a harvest of past actions so don’t lose hope.
- Cultivating strong character – Sow righteous choices daily through patience, honesty, generosity, etc.
- Taking responsibility – Do not blame others when you reap consequences of your poor choices.
- Investing in others – Help those struggling with their “harvest” to sow better choices going forward.
Asking ourselves “What am I sowing today?” can be a useful self-check. It prompts us to be intentional in our conduct and to steer clear of choices that can lead to bitter fruit. As agricultural sowing leads to planned harvest, we also should thoughtfully “sow” behaviors that can cultivate good outcomes in the future.
Sowing and Reaping for Believers
For Christians, Galatians 6:7 is a reminder that while salvation is by grace, rewards and consequences still follow our works. Obeying Christ leads to blessing and joy, while continuing in sin damages intimacy with God and brings discipline. The concept of sowing and reaping means our actions have weight and significance. Paul says believers can actually “reap eternal life” by well-doing, serving others, giving generously, and sowing gospel truth in the world (Galatians 6:8-9). Our choices impact our intimate relationship with Christ both now and for eternity.
At the same time, the reaping principle pushes us humbly toward God’s grace and Christ’s redemption. Even when facing hard consequences for past sin, we can find hope and forgiveness in the gospel. The principle of sowing and reaping is meant not to condemn believers, but to convict us toward greater obedience, wisdom, responsibility, and dependence on Christ’s finished work.
The harvest metaphor reminds us that our short earthly lives are but a season of sowing. Eternity is the harvest where God by His grace ensures those in Christ will reap fully His loving redemption, regardless of the mix of good and bad sown on earth. While still calling for holiness, Galatians 6:7 also points to the amazing hope believers have in grace.
