The Kingdom law of sowing and reaping operates in each of our lives. Likewise, so does the law of judging and receiving. These laws have likely been bringing detriment to your life; however, you can change that…you can change your life…by reversing the affects of these laws.
The 2 Laws
Kingdom law is meant to bring us blessings; however, when these laws are violated they bring destruction. The laws are like a lighthouse. They light the way to the destination and are unbreakable.
If you crash a ship into a lighthouse it’s not the lighthouse that breaks…it’s the ship that becomes broken. Don’t worry, God is a master artisan. His specialty is restorations. For some reason I always confuse the grace that saved me with the grace that grows me.
I’ve become efficient at breaking God’s law. I’ve been broken many times. God is good to me. He gives me grace. I’m able to be restored because I live above the law in a place Kris Vallotton calls Graceland.
Two laws in the Kingdom are: The law of judging and receiving and the law of sowing and reaping. Each one of these are meant to bless us, but let’s look at how they’ve been bringing destruction.
Driving on the highway may be a restriction but it’s safer and better for your car…and you…then driving through the wilderness.
The Law of Judging and Receiving
The law of judging and receiving is a fun little law that most people ignore. Much like jaywalking. It’s to say; however, that if you ignore this law, it’ll most likely end in your detriment. Unlike jaywalking. (Unless you get hit by a car.) Stating it simply; you receive what you judge.
“Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1)
When you judge others you’re condemning yourself to be judged. Notice who’s doing the condemning. Is it God? No. It’s you.
Jesus says it this way, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7: 1-2) You will receive the judgement you give.
You’re going to love this. When a judgement partners with an inner vow it causes the vow to work in reverse. So if you make an inner vow out of judgment like, “I will never be like my dad!” You are condemning yourself to become your father. Be careful not to judge your in-laws. Ouch!
If you want to learn more about inner vows, check out my post, Are Inner Vows Destroying Your life and Business?
Here’s the definition of judging as Alyn Jones gives it, “Judging is an observation with attitude.” I remember making the inner vow I’d never wear v-necks or skinny jeans. Well, now I do.
The Law of Sowing and Reaping
The second law is the law of sowing and reaping. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sow’s, this he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) When Paul says, “Don’t be deceived,” he’s saying, “this is important, don’t miss it.”
I grew up on a farm. When we planted squash; we expected squash to grow. It’s that simply. Yet, many Christians plant curses and expect blessings. We plant loose spending and expect financial blessing. God will not be mocked.
If you want financial breakthrough then tithe and give. If you want blessings then bless people. It really is that simple.
Many people lose faith because they’re not reaping while they are sowing. We sow and then later we reap. When you’re sowing you’re planting in faith that you will gain an increase later.
Sowing Honor
Now that I’ve addressed the two laws…let’s address sowing honor. The law of sowing and reaping has a tremendous effect when concerning honor and dishonor.
Danny Silk stated,
“One of the most vital core values for creating a safe place where people can be free is honor. Honor is the relational tool that protects the value that people have for those who are different than they are.”
Honor places value on people. When you honor someone you’re saying I have value for you.
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the Lord your God gives you.” (Deuteronomy 5:16)
We are to honor our parents. God says if we honor our parents then our days will be prolonged. Honor does not mean to obey. Honoring your parents is having value for them. My parents are valuable to me. I; however, do not always obey them.
I’m not giving you permission to disobey your parents…I just want the difference between honor and obeying to be clear. Honor says you’re valuable to me; obeying is to do what is asked of you. You can honor without obeying and you can obey without giving honor.
Lunch with Alyn Jones
When you sow honor you reap honor. I’ll never forget the day Alyn Jones called and asked if I wanted to join him for lunch. Alyn is a teacher I hold in high respect and honor.
I had mentioned a week earlier to his assistant that I wanted to schedule a lunch with him just to chat about my future and what I thought God was telling me. I figured it was going to be a couple of months before he was available for a lunch meeting.
My plan was to take him to Burger Up, one of his favorite restaurants in Nashville. When I take a leader out for lunch or coffee I always pay. Not to flatter them, but because I want to honor them. I want to sow into their lives and show I value them. This lunch turned out to be quite different.
I Received Honored
I had plans that afternoon and so did Alyn. While texting back and forth we realized I was not able to meet for very long because I had somewhere to be. He offered to reschedule, but I reassured him it was going to be a quick conversation.
I was thinking of places I could meet with him that would be quick. I wanted to honor his time and now I was pushed for time. While trying to figure it all out I received another text. Alyn invited me to his house for lunch…and he’d be cooking…cooking me lunch.
Alyn Jones make me lunch? He did. He made a stir fry from scratch with all the trimmings. This Scotsman is quite the cook. We talked as we devoured his culinary masterpiece. I felt an overwhelming sense of honor.
My goal was to honor him by buying him lunch. That didn’t work. Instead I was honored. He invited me to his house. He cooked a stir fry, from scratch, for me. All because I wanted to chat with him. He honored me. When you sow honor you reap honor.
Honor Working In Reverse
This law can work in reverse. If you sow dishonor, you’ll reap dishonor. What does that look like? Well, honor creates a safe place and dishonor cultivates a dangerous place. In a safe place people are able to be themselves because they are valued.
Their person is safe. In an atmosphere of dishonor people put up walls and become someone they’re not. They feel like they have to hide. When you don’t feel valued it causes you to transform into a defensive person. At least it does for me.
Bruce Banner is valued…the Hulk is not. See what I mean?
When you dishonor people, people will dishonor you. Something bad happens when these laws work in reverse. They transform into something. Something that’s not good…bitter roots.
Bitter Roots
These are types of judgments. They grow in our lives and go deep into our person. Roots are where we receive nutriment. We can have good roots or bitter roots.
Good roots will produce good fruit and bitter roots will produce bitter fruit. We want good fruit. What do you think of when you think of fruit? Do you think of apples, peaches, etc. Or maybe you think of fruit trees.
A fruit tree gives fruit. Fruit is what you receive from the tree. Likewise, the fruit of the Spirit is what’s cultivated as a result of Holy Spirit living in us. Desire good fruit because fruit is what other people receive from you. It’s how you’re experienced.
What is bitterness? Bitterness is when we hold on to anger, hurt, resentment or the like. “Holding on to bitterness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick,” states Alyn. It creates very destructive fruit in our lives…and all those who receive from us.
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12: 14-15)
Many people will be defiled if your fruit becomes destructive. Because bitter roots are a combination of these laws, you…yourself…are going to reap more bitterness, more dishonor, and people will act toward you in the same way you’ve been judging them.
The Belief Expectation Cycle
A belief expectation cycle also fuels these things called bitter root expectancies…meaning destructive habits are formed.The belief expectation cycle.
“…It shall be done to you according to your faith.” (Matthew 9:29) In this passage Jesus just touched a blind man’s eyes and he was healed according to his faith. There are many scriptures where Jesus talks about peoples great faith and the things that were done according their faith.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Faith sees the things we hope for and brings them into reality. Faith not only works for our good but also for our downfall. That is according to where we put our faith.
The belief expectation cycle is where something happens that causes you to believe some idea…usually an ungodly belief (UGB). Then, with that belief we expect that action to happen. As we expect it we begin to act accordingly. Finally, we experience the action again. This can be good or bad. Much like trying coffee at a new coffee shop.
Belief Expectation Cycle Example
Here’s an example. Let’s say that I go to a party where people make fun of me and reject me. That experience causes me to form the belief that when I meet new people they’re always going to reject me because I’m unlikeable and no fun.
Now, when I go to a party I expect people to reject me because I’m no fun and unlikable. When at the party, I act according to my belief…I’m no fun and unlikeable.
Therefore; I experience people rejecting me again which strengthens my UGB and causes the cycle to spiral on stronger. See how much this sucks…the terrifying thing is most people don’t realize what’s going on. I know I didn’t.
This cycle is meant to strengthen our relationship with our Father…if we put our faith in Him. Now, when I go to a party. I expect to be awesome; therefore, I am. You can read more about ungodly beliefs (UGBs) by reading my article What do you believe?
When we cultivate bitter roots…those roots produce fruit. That fruit then begins to fuel bitter root expectancies…a very bad belief expectation cycle. Conclusion, bitter roots…bad.
Preventing Bitter Roots
Two questions remain; how do we prevent ourselves from developing bitter roots, and how do we get rid of them? Those are great questions.
The answer is in the assignment God gave to Adam. “Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15) The answer to both questions is that we must become proficient at gardening.
When gardening you take care of two things: weeds and intruders. If Adam was doing his job then Satan wouldn’t have been in the garden to begin with. Weeds are annoying.
First you must dig up the roots and then you must prevent them from returning. If you only mow them down then they will return. Fruit will continue to grow until you remove the roots. Bitter roots need to be dug up and destroyed. Then we will add the boundaries needed to keep them from returning.
Removing Bitter Roots
How do you remove bitter roots? First, confess that you have allowed bitter roots to grow in your life. Then ask for forgiveness. God will forgive you.
Then forgive. Forgive others. Forgive all that were involved…including yourself for allowing bitter roots to grow. After forgiving you are able to repent. Repent for any judgements you have made. You are turning away from any observations you have made with attitude.
Now that you have asked for forgiveness, forgiven, and repented you are able to destroy the roots. Next, renounce the bitter roots. Remember, renouncing is declaring that you no longer have whatever it is you are renouncing.
Finally, pray to your Father for a resurrection and restoration in your life. To bring back to life the plants that produce good fruit in your garden, in your life.
Conclusion
God’s laws are meant to benefit us. They can, however, work to our detriment. To live the most fulfilled life, start getting these laws to work for you and not against you.
I understand this is easy to type and harder to do. I recommend by starting with one and then move to the others as your mind is renewed. God’s promises that we will be transformed by the renewing of our mind…Romans 12:2. Remember to forgive, repent, and renounce. This is a process…and its a good one.
If you want to learn about some more laws that might be affecting your life, check out my article Change Your Family’s Future. Your children and grandchildren don’t have to deal with the same stuff you did. You can stop it now…with you. Check out the article to learn how.
Question: How will your life be changed by getting the law of sowing and reaping to work for you instead of against you? Let me know in the comments below.
