This time of year, there is a lot of planting taking place, a lot of sowing of seeds. Farmers are planting in their fields, gardeners are planting in their gardens, and more. This got me thinking about the spiritual implications of seeds.
If I were to ask you if you were sowing spiritual seeds, you may have to stop and think about it for a second. But the truth is, you are. We are continuously sowing seeds into the world and the people around us with the things we do and say, even the things we think. Seeds are also being sown into our lives on a regular basis. And when a seed goes into the ground and is allowed to grow… it brings something forth.
Galatians 6:7-8
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.
So, the real question is not are seeds being sown, but rather what type of seeds are being sown. Are we sowing positive, spirit-filled seeds into the lives of those around us that will help bring forth good fruit? Speaking life, sowing encouragement, compassion, joy, peace, etc.? Or are we in our flesh and walking by sight, being led by our feelings, and sowing fleshly seeds of frustration, anger, bitterness, pride, division, etc.?
It's important that we examine the seeds we are sowing into others, but it’s equally important that we take inventory of the seeds we are allowing to take root and grow in our own lives. There are so many bad seeds that get thrown our way on a daily basis… the things of this world and the sinful temptations all around us, the negative thoughts that attempt to enter our minds, bitterness and unforgiveness tied to things people have done to us, the fear and division tied to the things in the media… the list goes on and on, and satan desires to use all of it to his advantage. If we allow these seeds to remain they will bring forth anxiety, fear, doubt, depression, anger, etc.
I’ve been guilty of letting my flesh get in the way and sowing (thinking, speaking, doing) not in the spirit but in the flesh. I’ve also been guilty of allowing bad seeds to remain, even nurturing them with more negative and sinful things that they could continue to grow in my life. And I know we all have. It’s our default, sinful nature to do so.
BUT… God has sent us His Holy Spirit to live in us and through us, to not yield and sow to our flesh but His Spirit. When we hold our lives up to the Word of God, and truly ask the Holy Spirit to examine us and our hearts and reveal to us the things that are in line and not pleasing or glorifying to Him, He will show us the difference between the good and bad seeds. He will help us nurture those that are good and uproot those that are bad. It is His desire that we would bear fruit, good fruit, that it would bless those around us and shine the light of Jesus Christ.
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide…
I pray that we would continuously and diligently seek to be more aware of the seeds we are sowing into the lives of others as well as the seeds we are allowing to be sown into our own lives. That we would desire to bear good fruit and sow good seeds, generously, speaking life and encouragement to those around us in the name of Jesus!
God Bless!
Written by Jonathan "JP" Sauser, President & Co-Founder - CHANGED in Christ Inc.