"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Galatians 6:7-8).

 

There are some great lessons taught in these two verses by the apostle Paul. Lessons all need to heed if they are going to enjoy everlasting life. Far too many think they can just live as they please and all is well between them and God. When in reality nothing could be farther from the truth.

 

We are warned not to be deceived. I dare say that all of us at one time have been the victims of some sort of deception. Whether buying a house, a car, or even the character of some individual. The warning sounded in this verse is spiritual in nature, of either sowing to the flesh or to the Spirit, thinking one can mock Jehovah. There are religious teachers who will say you can practice sin and God’s grace will either cover or overlook such iniquities. John said, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). It is not a question of what some man may teach, but what does the word of God say? Likewise, the Bible says we can deceive ourselves (1 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 1:8). Do some think they can conceal their sins from the Lord? Or maybe they think they are the exception to God’s law? Do not be deceived!

 

The word “mocked” is defined as “properly, to turn up the nose or sneer at; to mock, deride: passive, does not suffer himself to be mocked” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament). Wuests says, “The thought which Paul wishes to press home to the Galatians is that it is vain to think that one can outwit God by reaping a harvest different from that which a person has sown” (Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament). Obviously, there were individuals when Paul wrote who thought they could outwit God just like there are people today who no doubt has the exact same views. The Bible is filled with examples of people who tried to sneer at the commands of the Lord but suffered when violating His will. King Saul is a great example of one who turned his nose up at the command of God, yet he suffered the consequences of his failure (1 Samuel 15). Notice what he said, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord” (verse 13); “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord” (verse 20). He was told to completely destroy the Amalekites (verse 3), and yet he spared the best (verse 9). He was rejected by Jehovah from being king because of what he had sown (verse 26).

 

If one sows to his flesh, then of the flesh he will reap corruption. No matter what someone else may say or what an individual may think or feel, the results will be disastrous. Paul by inspiration revealed to us what sowing to the flesh involved. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). Those who practice such sins and are unwilling to repent and turn from them, will lose their most valuable possession, their soul. The word “corruption” which is used in this text is defined as, “in the Christian sense, the loss of salvation, eternal misery” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament).

 

Instead of sowing to the flesh, the child of God must sow to the Spirit. This involves the choice of conduct which one makes in life. Paul said, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). It is only when one will follow the instruction of the Spirit, obey the Father’s will, that he will reap the benefits of such a life. Eternal life is only promised to those who are godly (Titus 1:1-2). God made this promise, He cannot lie and so we are assured when life is over heaven will be awaiting us (Hebrews 6:18).

 

Just remember you cannot sow corn and reap beans. Neither can you sow to the flesh and reap everlasting life. God will not allow such to happen. Do you want everlasting life? Sow to the Spirit. The Lord cannot and will not be mocked regardless of who is trying to turn their noses up to Him. There are no exceptions.

 

Jim Mickells