Be Not Deceived--God is Not Mocked

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“Be not deceived—God is not mocked…”
An Exposition on “Sowing and Reaping.”

by Fred Crawford

Here is a scriptural principal that has a vital bearing on future salvation. It is also a concept that can have a bearing on our daily life experiences.

Society today is led to believe that one can “get something for nothing;” that you can “do your own thing” with no consequences. Look at some examples:

People expect to be paid big money when they have little to offer.
It is taken for granted that you can turn to the “system”—social welfare—to solve needs.
“Get Rich Quick” schemes, through lotteries and other enticements, tell us how we may win millions for no effort.
And in the realm of religion it seems to be the same principle at work: Salvation is available by “accepting Jesus Christ” into your heart! Nothing more required.

A local Baptist church recently sent out a leaflet inviting people to attend—“Come as you are,” announced the leaflet. “All you have to do is pray and ask the Lord Jesus for his free gift of eternal life…” But can we honestly expect “a free ride to eternal life,” such as that church promises?

Reaping

The idea of reaping is scriptural. It is used in a natural sense, and also in a spiritual and moral sense.

Let’s make two points at the outset. First, before “reaping” can take place there must have been a “sowing” first.

Secondly, there is a direct relation between sowing and reaping. This can be graded as follows:

No sowing—there will be no reaping.
Poor sowing—there will be poor reaping.
Little sowing—there will be little reaping.
Good sowing—there will be good reaping.
Bountiful sowing—there will be bountiful reaping.

This is a foundational truth: a man reaps what he sows—and we need to clearly understand that!

The Natural World

Consider the sowing and reaping of fruits, vegetables, flowers, hay or grain. The farmer or grower must have a clear idea—a vision—of what he wants to produce. He will have a strong desire to produce a good crop. But desires, hopes and dreams of a good crop will not of itself prove to be sufficient. The grower knows that he must put a lot of hard work into the sowing process. He knows that the very key to a good harvest lies in how well he sows.

He must plant exactly the same type of seed that he wants produced in the crop.
He must sow good quality, clean and properly prepared seed.
The soil has to be well prepared in order to receive the seed—and the work has to be done well in advance of sowing time.
Seeding must be carried out at the right season. Too late or too early will affect later results.
The types and amounts of fertilizers must be considered—carelessness in this area can prove to be very costly in more ways than one!
Seeding equipment has to be maintained and calibrated.
Weed spraying has to be correctly carried out.

All this—and much more—must go into the sowing process if a good harvest is to be realized. Neglect any one of the sowing requirements and there will be a price to pay at harvest time.

God Gives the Increase

To have good crops, of course, you must have the rains. In discussing what the “sower” must do, we are conscious that the rain is given by the Creator of the heavens and earth. The “sower” has no control over the rain or sunshine—those are of God’s providing. But even if there is little rain, he that sows diligently will experience a better harvest—and, of course, if the rains are good then he will reap bountifully.

The Proverbs have much wisdom and instruction for us. For example:

He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
Proverbs 28:19

He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
Proverbs 12:11

Again, the picture is vividly painted in Proverbs 24:

I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
Proverbs 24:30-34

We see in these passages that as a man sows, so also shall he reap. Diligent effort brings the reward of “plenty,” but where there is laziness (slothfulness) the reward to be expected is “poverty.”

Daily Life Experiences

Consider the way we speak, as an example here: If our speech is always negative, critical, judgmental, full of self-importance and pride—if we are always complaining, gossiping, silly or untrustworthy—what will we reap?

Well, we could expect people to avoid us! Do not expect to have many friends. There will be trouble and stressful encounters with neighbors, fellow workers, spouse, children, fellow students, etc. What we “sow” with our tongue will reap results accordingly.

When our conversation is positive, constructive, kind—carefully thought out and truthful—what a very different “reaping” is experienced! It will lead to valued friendships, successful business dealings and relationships, and happy family circumstances. It will bring respect and people will come to us for help and guidance.

Consider carefully the words of scripture:

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:23

A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:20-21

Look at the price for misuse of the tongue in Numbers 14:36-38. The spies brought an evil report—and as a result it cost them the Promised Land and even life itself.

We do—and we will—reap what we have sown with our tongues!

But we can go deeper and consider our very attitudes—our actions and way of life. Make no mistake, here again we will reap what we sow. When things do not go well for us we need to consider this. Instead of looking for someone or something else to blame, we should consider our ways as the prophet says—for we may have brought a situation upon ourselves!

Think about that speeding ticket—is it not telling us to review our driving habits?

What about success or failure in education—how much real effort did we put in?

Do we experience business problems? If so, are we being “diligent in business”? (See Prov. 22:29). The same can be true when it comes to financial matters—we can often reap what we sow. But relationships with fellow workers and with our employer can so often be related to how we act and behave ourselves. It is in such matters that the word of God gives such clear counsel and guidance (See Prov. 1:29-31).

For another example of reaping what we sow, look at Proverbs 11:

The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
Proverbs 11:17-19