Reaping What You Sow 12-7-08
In an article titled “Many of Amsterdam’s Brothels, Marijuana Cafes to Close” (www.foxnews.com) the Associated Press revealed that the government of Amsterdam (Netherlands) is closing many of the immoral establishments for which it has achieved notoriety. The article stated that the city government was attempting to reduce the influence of organized crime by getting rid of businesses that “generate criminality” such as brothels, pot shops, and gambling establishments. Apparently drug-dealers have been using the legitimized businesses to conduct money-laundering operations and the prostitutes are supplied by human traffickers. Amsterdam is reaping a harvest of crime and decadence because they sowed seeds of immorality.
I find it hard to believe that they thought that this would turn out any differently! What did they think would happen if they encouraged prostitution, gambling, and drug usage? Probably the same thing that organizations such as pro-legalization of prostitution group COYOTE say would happen here: utopia. But it never seems to happen that way. The reason may have to do with reaping and sowing: a farmer who sows corn expects to reap corn. In the same way, if you sow immorality, how can you expect a harvest of anything other than a rise in the criminal element? They are the ones who benefit the most from those sorts of businesses!
The Dutch are not alone in this: all mankind seems to desire to change morality into whatever they want it to be. But no one can do that, because morality is even more fundamental than gravity! Morality is defined based on God’s character, not just on some principle of this universe (such as gravity).
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:19-25 NIV)
As you can see, the sinful nature has a four-fold form: lust, idolatry, selfishness, and indulgence. I find it interesting that in Revelation 6:8 John tells us that the four riders (commonly called the Four Horsemen) are given power to “kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth” (Revelation 6:8 NIV). Now, I am not interpreting the Revelation letter to be referring to this passage from Galatians; I am simply making a point about consequences. Lust is often punished by disease (plague); selfishness is the root of many wars (sword); indulgence has a corollary punishment in famine; and idolatry leads to man acting like (and believing himself to be) a beast.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8 NIV)
Sowing the seeds of the sinful nature leads to despair and destruction. But sowing the seeds of righteousness leads to a harvest of life – the one seed of the Spirit grows into the nine fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control! These nine fruits help us to avoid the pitfalls of the sinful nature and to grow into mature children of God.
-Charles Peterson