Sow well to Reap well

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Galatians 6:7

As the graphic above shows, your attitude affects your behavior.  If you are in a sour mood, you will give off sour behaviors.  Not only does your sour behavior affect yourself, but also the people around you.  After a bad day at work, we may yell at our kids or kick the dog.  Have you seen your kids later get angry with your spouse or their sibling?  Have you seen your dog cower in the corner when you enter into a room?

Attitude is defined as “manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially of the mind.”  Behavior is defined as the manner of acting in a particular way.  Think of it this way.  Your attitude is your inner thoughts and feelings (tendencies), while your behavior is an outward expression (manner of acting out) of your attitude.  Let’s look at our verse in context.

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.  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. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

“Reap” in the Greek is therizó which is to gather, harvest.  “Sow” is speiró which is to spread, scatter.  Whatever a man spreads or scatters in the world, he will gather, harvest or have as a reward.  So if you have a corrupted attitude which is translated to a corruptible behavior, you will be apart of corruption.  This fleshly or worldly outlook will get progressively worse as it feeds on the corrupted attitudes and behaviors that you have influenced.  However, if we live with the Spirit as believers and spreaders of the Gospel, we will be with the Spirit.  God will be magnified and the Gospel will be preached as this “Spirit cycle” grows.

In this text, “weary” is ekkakeó which is I am faint or to be negatively influenced with the outcome of experiencing inner weariness.  “Good” is kalos or beautiful, as an outward sign of the inward good, noble, honorable character; good, worthy, honorable, noble, seen to be so attractively good or a good that inspires (motivates) others to embrace what is lovely (beautiful, praiseworthy).  Do not become faint, negatively influenced, or discouraged while you are doing God’s business by inspiring others to embrace Jesus.  In God’s timing, you will see the harvest of new believers.  Never give up, keep the right, Godly attitude.  Use the “attitude” acrostic to help you keep that focus as a reminder of God’s Word.

You are a reflection of Christ on this earth.  We all fail, but we must not get discouraged.  Keep Christ always in front of you and you will not grow weary from doing good.  Always make today your best day.  Take pride in a job well done for God.  Treat others with respect.  Isolate your negative thoughts and focus on God’s will.  Treat tasks as opportunities to spread the Gospel.  Use your talents everyday.  Do the job right the first time.  Expect to succeed.  Speak well of others everyday.