Sowing and Reaping - Part 7
Galatians 6:7-10 (ESV)
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption…
Our word “corruption” in verse 8 is defined by the Strong’s Concordance as, “Decay, i.e. ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literal or figurative).” It’s taken from the root which means, “(To pine or waste); properly to shrivel or wither, i.e. to spoil (by any process) or (genitive) to ruin (especially figurative by moral influences, to deprave).”
At first glance, our word corruption may seem to suggest something wrong or evil, however, it actually doesn’t. The fact that something decays, ruins, shrivels, withers, or spoils, does not immediately suggest something wrong, rather, it suggests something temporary. A good example is the fruit of a tree, which when left alone after it matures, will definitely spoil and become inedible. For this reason, my definition of “corruption” is, “The temporary nature of all form.” This being true, the idea of reaping corruption simply means that when we sow to our “own flesh” or temporary existence, our reaping is short-term at best.
Strong’s does go on to state “especially figurative by moral influences, to deprave.” Google defines “deprave” as, “Make (someone) immoral or wicked,” so it follows that “corruption” may also suggest immorality or evil of some sort. When someone uses the idea of “corrupt,” this is usually what they mean.
Not surprisingly, when we think of temporary or wicked, they often go hand in hand. Why do I say this? Please consider the following from 1st John, Chapter 2.
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
What did John write? “The world is passing away along with its desires,” that is, the world and the things in it are temporary, destined to fade, yet, humankind’s desire for these things is one of the main reasons why we see so much evil and suffering today.
Proverbs 27:20 (ESV)
20 Sheol (hell; KJV) and Abaddon (destruction; KJV) are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.
“Never satisfied are the eyes of man.” So it is that “Sheol (or Hell) and Abaddon (or destruction)” are never satisfied, for our discontent in regard to this form-based world always leads to both. Until humankind discovers the secret of contentment, this will remain true (Matt. 6:24-34; Php. 4:11; I Tim. 6:8; Heb. 13:5). The truth is, it’s our inordinate love of the self and all of its attachments, both physical and mental, which continues to produce all the suffering in our world today. The apostle Paul labeled this as “the mind set on the flesh” which is “death” (Rom. 8:6; NASB95). Allow me to close with the following.
Philippians 4:11-13 (NASB95)
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
1 Timothy 6:7-10 (NASB95)
7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Hebrews 13:5-6 (NASB95)
5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," 6 so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"