narrative essay you reap what you sow

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The Powerful Biblical Meaning of 'Reap What You Sow'

When the apostle Paul writes to the Galatian church, “Whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Gal. 6:7), the agrarian community would have understood the process of sowing, the patience required for growth, and the joy when crop was available for plentiful reaping.

The concept of you reap what you sow comes from farming. For modern readers unfamiliar with farming, James A. Patch explains the amount of work required in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia . In biblical times, farmers would till their fields to prepare for sowing and plowing in hilly regions or where ground had not recently been used. The plains, by contrast, often needed little preparation for plowing.

When sowing, seed would be carried through the field in a jar, basket, or loose pocket. Once scattered, seed would be plowed again so that it would not become food for birds. The fields would sit for the winter rains, after which a second sowing would be made.

Then, in early summer—the dry season—reaping would begin. Families would travel to the fields and be there until the conclusion of harvest. A section of grain crop would be held by a sickle in the right hand, near the earth. The left hand would clutch the grain and simultaneously the crop would be yanked, slicing it and detaching it from the roots. These handfuls would be gathered by helpers, typically children, and placed in mounds. These piles would later be removed to the threshing-floor.

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"A Man Reaps What He Sows" Biblical Context

Prior to instructing that you will reap what you sow , the apostle Paul writes to the Galatians that they cannot look to the law for salvation. Instead, he commends to them the freedom that comes through faith and following the law of Christ ( Gal. 6:2 ). Knowing Christ brings obedience to Him out of love through the inner transformation of the Holy Spirit.

Now, in teaching that Christians are freed from the law unto the joyous “law of Christ,” Paul does not want believers to be confused about what life springs from genuine salvation. So, Paul differentiates between living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit in Galatians 5:13-26 . Being freed from seeking salvation according to the law does not mean that Christians are “freed” to live as they please, according to all impulses and desires.

Paul first gives examples of works of the flesh: “ sexual immorality , impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” ( Gal. 5:19a-21a ). By contrast, he then lists the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” ( Gal. 5:22a-23a ).

When Paul discusses sowing and reaping, he continues the theme of contrasts. He discusses the kind of life that rejects the law as bringing salvation in favor of the Spirit’s rebirth versus the kind of life that rejects the law in favor of the flesh. He employs the language of sowing to the flesh versus sowing to the Spirit ( Gal. 6:8 ).

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Reap What You Sow Warnings

Even in the church may be found those sowing to the flesh. The phrase “whatever one sows, that will he also reap” is third within a series of three statements by Paul in Galatians 6:7 . The first statement is, “Do not be deceived,” and the second is, “God is not mocked.”

Some, whom Paul is warning in this passage, might appear to forsake the law in favor of the Spirit when they are secretly serving the flesh. In fact, this disposition might even apply to a group of those hearing the letter as it is read aloud in the churches in Galatia. Despite appearances, unrepentant evildoers put corrupt seed into the ground that will inevitably bring forth the yield of their eternal corruption, or punishment.

As Paul indicates in his triad of statements, God is not mocked by the activities of those who reject Him—whether those rejecting Him outright, or those rejecting Him in the secret places of their hearts while appearing to follow Him. People who reject God turn their noses up at Him in derision—dismissing His ownership of them. But the gesture is ultimately empty of effect. The omnipotent, worthy, holy God who will accomplish all of His purposes accurately holds in derision those who reject Him ( Psalm 2:4 ).

Is Sowing and Reaping Like Karma?

Paul’s warning may sound to our ears akin to the teaching of Karma. With roots in Indian religions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, the “law of Karma” employs cause and effect, similar to Paul’s “you reap what you sow ” theology. One’s own good or bad actions are said to offer liberation from cycles of rebirth.

Yet, the biblical principle of sowing and reaping is not Karma; a believer’s works are not the grounds of salvation. Instead, believers reap by grace from the work of Jesus Christ on their behalf for the salvation they could never earn. A believer works in response to Christ’s sacrifice.

In these Indian religions, there is no Jesus Christ. So there is no ultimate justice in this world where God in perfect goodness judges all evil; no Lord who sacrifices Himself in His love for the world; no explanation of how sins are forgiven; no historical reality of bodily resurrection from the dead by Jesus Christ who enables our hope of future resurrection of like kind; and no Spirit who indwells and enables the good works of those who believe.

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Principles for Sowing to the Spirit

Through the work of Jesus Christ and the rebirth of the Spirit, God has given believers capacities and abilities for living out our salvation. We are able to act upon the truth that is within us. We can lean into faith in Jesus Christ in trials. And, we can invest time and effort into spiritual matters of eternal consequence. To sow to the Spirit, we use any means God has given to us to invest ourselves in Him; we use our freedom in Christ from the law for deliberate, heartfelt, devoted, and marked obedience that is not accepting of any attitude, desire, or action outside of God’s holy will.

We may look out to the fields of our lives and envision how we may utilize all that God has given into our hands—like time, seasons, abilities, or gifts. We conform our ways to the Scriptures. We submit our prayers for harvest to the Lord. We act in concert with other believers. We ask that our hearts be steered by His sovereign hand. We heed the guidance and experience of the faithful who have gone before us. We train and learn in order to develop innate abilities. We keep ourselves connected to the Lord. And we spread spiritual seed.

While some of the growth before the harvest is available to our sights, we wait until glory to reap. We pray that one day, we might be taken to fields of abundance. Scripture provides key principles for this sowing to the Spirit: choosing good seed, sowing liberally, expecting toil, and keeping ourselves from fainting.

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Choosing Good Seed to Sow

The principle of sowing involves selection—we choose what kind of seed we want to eventually reap, whether seed in conformity with faith and life in Christ, or in conformity with the flesh and corruption. In addition to the fruits of the Spirit, Paul gives various examples of how to sow to the Spirit, like “serving one another in love” ( Gal. 5:13 ), the gentle restoration of those who are caught in sin ( Gal. 6:1 ), and carrying each other’s burdens ( Gal. 6:2 ).

Paul emphasizes the support of those who teach the church ( Gal. 6:6 ). For, if we value the work of the Spirit as God desires, we will honor those who teach the Scripture to us. We will even consider our pastors’ work of teaching to have a part in our own future harvest, as Scripture is the living means for doing the work of God. So, naturally, we would want to support our teachers’ work with all of our hearts. Paul confirms this mindset, that supporting church pastors is a basic and essential milestone in the formation of spiritual thinking – or, of sowing good seed.

In addition to sowing wisely, in accordance with Paul’s examples, we are also to sow much. For, we reap in proportion to what we sow (see 2 Corinthians 9:6 ). The time for sowing is now—the opportunity is now.

If Satan is propelled to his evil, destructive work because he knows that his time is short ( Revelation 12:12 ), how much more does Christ compel us to turn ourselves to the work of the Spirit of life during the brevity of our days? Paul described his ministry as spending and being spent for the souls of others, and he was “very glad” to extend himself liberally ( 1 Corinthians 12:15 ).

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Expect Toil As You Sow

Sowing and reaping—oh, the effort, waiting, and working the first listeners would have heard in this analogy! Early church father Theodore of Mopsuestia observed in people a willingness to toil for both sowing and reaping for earthly gains. Yet, he noted that people can be unwilling to endure toil for spiritual sowing, even the sowing whose harvest we will not even work to reap. For, we will reap upon entering into the rest of our Lord.

Scripture describes the spiritual life as one that is full of toil—but this toil is a good sacrifice, all for the Lord. The author of Hebrews writes, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” ( Hebrews 13:16 ). The Old Testament also rejoices in the principle that because of God’s promises, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” ( Psalm 126:5 ).

Avoid Fainting

In the toil, we need not spiritually faint. Paul compliments the church at Thessalonica for their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope” ( 1 Thessalonians 1:3 ). They worked in devotion to the Lord, not allowing their spiritual purposefulness to wane. As Warren Wiersbe writes, they possessed, “Not just work, labor, and patience, but the proper motivation: ‘faith, love, and hope.’”

By contrast, Wiersbe continues, the priests of Israel that the prophet Malachi addressed in Old Testament times served the Lord, but said, “What a weariness this is” ( Malachi 1:13 ). We expect toil, yes—but not a toil more powerful than the spiritual strength available to us in the Lord who gives rest to the weary ( Matthew 11:28 ). Continually renewing ourselves in Him through the ministry of the Word and Spirit—keeping proper motivation—we will not spiritually faint.

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God’s Grace in the Believer’s Sowing and Reaping

John Calvin notes the grace of God in the believer’s sowing and reaping: “The undeserved kindness of God appears in the very act of honoring the works which his grace has enabled us to perform, by promising to them a reward to which they are not entitled.” He describes that good works are derived from God’s grace through the Spirit and that the believer can anticipate rewards for his works despite each one on this earth being tainted by the believer’s remaining sin.

Because reaping the reward of heaven, of God’s own goodness, and of future rewards is not owed to the believer, this too will be a source of praise to God. The believer reaps not only of his own sowing (enabled by God), but also of Christ’s righteousness and work.

No living person is reduced to being a passive sufferer of poor choice in a “past life” or of some deterministic luck or fate. A choice is clearly before us. Will we sow foolishly to the flesh—sow the wind and reap the whirlwind ( Hosea 8:7 )? Or, with faith in Christ, will we sow to the Spirit with patience and hope that “in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” ( Galatians 6:9 )?

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/chaiyapruek2520

Lianna Davis is author of Keeping the Faith: A Study in Jude and Made for a Different Land: Eternal Hope for Baby Loss . She is also a contributor to We Evangelicals and Our Mission with Cascade Books. Lianna is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She lives in Illinois with her husband and daughter. You can learn more about her writing at her website .

As you sow so Shall you Reap Essay

As You Sow, So Shall You Reap Essay

“As you sow, so shall you reap” is a known proverb to everyone. This proverb has great significance in our life. It means as the action is, so is the result. Actions decide the consequences. The word sow means to plant a seed, and reaping means enjoying the crop when the seed has grown. It means whatever seeds you plant, you get the fruits of the same tree only. This in-depth means whatever you do comes back to you. If you do good things to people, you will be rewarded with good things, and if you do bad to others, then bad things will come back to you. This ‘As You Sow, So Shall You Reap’ essay will help students to understand the meaning of this proverb with the help of a story.

Students can also go through the list of CBSE Essays on different topics. It will help them to improve their writing skills and also increase their scores in the English exam. Moreover, they can participate in different essay writing competitions which are conducted at the school level.

500+ Words As You Sow, So Shall You Reap Essay

If you sow an apple seed, you can’t expect to harvest oranges. The law of karma operates in the same way. So, you should be aware of what you are doing. Most people live life unconscious of their thoughts, deeds and actions without thinking of the consequent effect. Due to this, they get pain in their life. Below is a short story that will help in understanding the “As you sow, so shall you reap” proverb in a better way.

Short Story on As You Sow, So Shall You Reap Proverb

If you read the great Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, you may come across many examples of the proverb “As you sow, so shall you reap”.

In Ramayana, Kaikeyi, the youngest of the three wives of King Dasaratha, postulates the exile of Lord Rama. She reminded the king about his promise. She asked to send Lord Rama to the forest for fourteen years and her son Bharat to be crowned as the heir apparent for Ayodhya. Following the orders of the father, Rama leaves for the forest. He is also accompanied by his wife Sita and the most beloved brother Lakshmana. The wider ramifications of this incident lead to the untimely demise of the King, Dasaratha. Also, Bharat refuses to become the king of the Ayodhaya. Kaikeyi loses in the game. Her husband dies in the grief and sorrow of his son Rama, and her own son Bharat also leaves her. Manthara, the hunch-backed maidservant and close aide of Kaikeyi, is also abhorred by one and all. This shows that the proverb “As you sow, so shall you reap” is true.

We get good or bad fruit according to our good or bad deeds. If the action is based on goodness, it will churn out only goodness in the long run. If the action has been evil, the outcome also tends to be evil.

Students must have found this “As You Sow So Shall You Reap” essay useful for improving their essay writing skills. They can get the study material and latest update on CBSE/ICSE/State Board/Competitive Exams, at BYJU’S.

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Reap What You Sow (Meaning, Origin, Examples)

What does “reap what you sow” mean? When we communicate in any language, we sometimes use idioms to make a point. It is the same with the English language. While talking or writing in English, we use phrases to explain what we mean. And sometimes we use idioms to emphasize what we want to express.

But what is an idiom? An idiom is a figurative phrase. This means when you read an idiom, what the words or phrase means is different from what it looks like.

It is a mode of expression where you cannot take the literal meaning of the words (forming the idiom) to be its actual meaning.

Idioms are artistic modes of expression. One common idiom which you should know is ‘reap what you sow.’

What does reap what you sow mean?

While watching television or reading books, you might hear the phrase ‘reap what you sow.’ You can also come across ‘Reap what one sows.’ Both are the same and carry the same symbolic meaning.

Is it “reap what you sow” or “you reap what you sow?”

Similarly, the definition of ‘reap what you sow’ or ‘you reap what you sow’ is that you will face the consequences of your actions. What you are going through now is a result of a thing you have done in the past . And what you do now will bring you the expected results in the future.

For example, look at the sentence , ‘If you do not study for your test, you will reap as you sow.’ This means that your result will be per your preparedness. If you are not ready for a test, you will not fare well. But the bad result will be a consequence of your action because you knowingly did not prepare or study for it.

Simplifying the idiom

So to put it simply, the meaning of ‘reap what you sow’ is if you do something good, something good will happen to you. And if you do something wrong, something terrible will happen to you. You will be responsible for your choices in life and what you do.

“Reap what you sow” origin

Reaping and sowing are general terms related to planting seeds and harvesting. ‘Reaping’ means gathering crops, and ‘sowing’ means planting seeds.

The phrase or idiom ‘Reap what you sow’ originated from the Bible, where it has been used repeatedly as a metaphor .

In the book of Hosea (in 1611 King James Version ), which is the Hebrew Bible, after God sees the Israelites worshiping a calf idol, he says, “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind.”

The idiom ‘Reap what you sow’ has derived from this utterance—this utterance or saying means that the consequences of wrong actions will be worse.

In addition to being in the Bible, it was also found in an ancient English sermon, probably belonging to the 1650s. It said people who can enter God’s kingdom could do so because of their kindness. They are reaping the result of what they sowed.

Slowly, the use of this proverb started becoming widespread, especially in the sector of business and politics. In 1822, the phrase also appeared as a metaphor in the British Parliament . The idiom was used to refer to how the policies formed by the colonial British would have later consequences.

Bible relationship to “reap what you sow”

Let’s see what the Bible says about this expression or the Biblical meaning of the phrase.

There have been multiple references to this phrase in the scripture. The most significant one is from a passage in Galatians (6:7-8) .

In the Christian New Testament Epistle , Paul the Apostle wrote to the Galatians that “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

These lines from the Book of Galatians tell that you should not be misled into thinking that you can make a mockery of God’s justice.

What you harvest is what you plant. Anyone who is surviving only to meet the needs of their sinful nature will harvest decay and death as a result of their nature.

Is “reap what you sow” a negative idiom?

Though it may seem like “reap what you sow” has a negative connotation, that is not entirely true. It can be used in a positive context too.

Reaping the benefits is like Karma .

And someone can have good Karma too.

One will reap benefits from a good deed and will suffer for a bad deed. Thus the idiom has both positive and negative connotations.

Examples of “reap what you sow” in a sentence

Here are some examples, including quotes, to help you understand how to use this idiom in a sentence.

You will also see how it can be used both positively and negatively:

Last month, Ms. Donovan described the people involved in her son’s death as a “pack of monsters” and expressed a wish that they would “reap what they sow.”
If you want to be successful in life, remember that you reap what you sow. The harder you work, the more likely you will achieve your goals.
We will reap what we sow. When you do good for other people, that’s when God is going to make sure that his abundant blessings overtake you.
Of course, you’re exhausted in class—you stay up too late! You reap what you sow.
Life is like a garden; you reap what you sow.
Their generosity now could be rewarded in the future – you reap what you sow.

Common questions

Questions about “reap what you sow.”

What is the biblical meaning of “reap what you sow?”

While there are many references, “for he who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption.” Galatians 6:7-8. And “Sow to the Spirit and instead reap eternal life.” Romans 8:6. Lastly, “whoever sows generously will also reap sparingly.”

It is still of each of us to determine the exact religious meaning of the idiom. A reference could be to one’s actions and one’s own sinful nature needing to be replaced with the Holy Spirit. For example, spreading God’s word (to plant seeds) rather than spreading negative actions.

Does it mean to watch our actions?

In short, yes. In proverbs 22:8 , “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity.” It refers to the consequences of a person’s actions. Rather, ensuring that our actions are “good” in other to prevent future consequences that are negative.

Definition of ‘you reap what you sow’ – Collins Dictionary
You Reap What You Sow – Meaning and Origin – Grammarist
You Reap What You Sow Meaning & Origin – Dictionary.com
You reap what you sow meaning – Idioms – UsingEnglish.com
The Biblical Meaning of “You Reap What You Sow” – Christianity

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About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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You reap what you sow.

[yoo reep wuht yoo soh ]

What does you reap what you sow mean?

You reap what you sow is a proverb that says future consequences are inevitably shaped by present actions.

Where does you reap what you sow come from?

To reap is “to gather a crop” and to sow , “to plant seeds.” Throughout versions of the Bible, sowing is used as a metaphor for one’s actions and reaping for the results of those actions. In the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Hosea, God finds the Israelites worshipping an idol of a calf and, in the 1611 King James Version, says, “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind.” The saying means that the consequences of already bad actions will be even worse. In his Christian New Testament Epistle to the Galatians, Paul the Apostle writes: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” He goes on to instruct the Galatians to “sow to please the spirit” rather than the flesh, indicating that a spiritual life will result in reward.

An English sermon collection from 1654, about forty years after the King James Bible was finished, frequently addressed the theme of metaphorical sowing and reaping, helping you reap what you sow achieve proverbial status. The expression later came to be used outside of religious contexts, often in politics, business, and as general wisdom. The 1820 book Maternal Solicitude for a Daughter’s Best Interest advises working with diligence, because one cannot reap without the effort of first sowing.

In 1822, the saying appeared in British Parliament. Warning that policies enforced in the British colonies may later be applied back in England, one speaker said, “As we sow, so shall we reap.” In 1884, Benjamin Butler, a third-party candidate for President of the United States, encouraged his supporters to vote third-party, saying,”He who expects to reap must sow, and he can’t reap when he ought to be sowing, and the Presidential crop is harvested only once in four years.”

In 1894, Profitable Advertising magazine encouraged readers to spend liberally on advertising, invoking “the old story of sowing and reaping” that “the preacher tells” to illustrate the concept of return on investment. A 1911 ad in the Big Four Poultry Journal made the same comparison with regard to advertising. Also in 1911, Business Philosopher magazine put the proverb to use in the context of positive thinking and self-help, offering advice such as “sow a good action, reap a good habit,” and “sow a good habit, reap a good character.” These examples connect material success to the expression’s original cautions about moral character.

Although you reap what you sow has spread well beyond religion and morality, the proverb still enjoys use in those contexts, especially owing to its biblical origins.

Examples of you reap what you sow

Who uses you reap what you sow.

Today, you reap what sow is used in many contexts, from elevated religious and political discourse to pop culture and everyday speech.

In a 1965 speech, Martin Luther King Jr. memorably asked how long it would be until we could achieve justice and racial equality. Near the close of the speech, King asked, “How long? Not long,” because “you shall reap what you sow,” indicating that nonviolent protest would eventually be rewarded. The band Rage Against the Machine paraphrased King in its song “Wake Up” with the lyric “How long? Not long! ‘Cause what you reap is what you sow.” In the song, which addresses political assassinations, the band seems to indicate that political violence will be met with unrest.

In everyday speech, you reap what you sow is sometimes used after the fact, to indicate that someone should have expected the results that followed from their actions. In this use, it’s similar to I told you so .

You reap what you sow has also been used to describe the Hindu and Buddhist concept of karma to westerners.

This is not meant to be a formal definition of you reap what you sow like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of you reap what you sow that will help our users expand their word mastery.

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Translations

What Is the Meaning of 'You Reap What You Sow'?

I had just become a Christian and my new friend was a pastor’s wife. Angela not only led me to the Lord, but she also took it upon herself to be my accountability partner and mentor. I had thought now that I was a Christ-follower, everything would be perfect and rosy.

However, because of my past actions, I was facing some major consequences as a result.

Dismayed, I came to her one evening about the mess I had made, lamenting that I thought God wouldn’t allow it. Or that God would somehow fix it. Life was supposed to be all sunshine and rainbows now that I knew Jesus, right?

“Unfortunately, Heather, you are reaping what you’ve sown. God loves you deeply but because of your negative choices, you have consequences. But God will be with you through it.” She went on to describe my life as a garden. I had sown nothing but weeds with my choices. Now it was time to uproot them one by one in order to sow the seeds of obedience of living like Christ.

'Reap What You Sow' Meaning

So what does the phrase, “You reap what you sow” mean? To reap is “to gather a crop” and to sow, “to plant seeds.” Throughout scripture, sowing is used as a metaphor for one’s actions and reaping for the results of such actions.

The biblical meaning of this phrase comes from a passage in Galatians: “Don’t be misled — you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.

But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” ( Galatians 6:7-8 ) Paul’s instructions are to sow to please the Holy Spirit instead of our flesh or what worldly living suggests.

Context of Reap What You Sow in Galatians 6:7

Paul wrote to the Galatians as they faced division amongst themselves. A number of Jewish believers wanted Christians to engage in Jewish practices such as circumcision. Under these circumstances, does Paul exhort the Galatians to care for one another and bear each other's burdens. When we bear one another's burdens, according to Matthew Henry's Bible commentary, so fulfills the law.

We no longer have to live based on the Old Covenant and the laws and practices laid down in the Torah.

What is important is the fruit that we sow. If we engage in acts of the flesh, no matter how vibrant our piety, we will not sow holy fruit. Actions speak far louder than words in the case of this Galatians passage. We choose whether to sow in the flesh or sow in the Spirit. It doesn't matter if we are circumcised or not, or whatever distinctions we find the church draws today. What matters is our fruit.

What Does the Bible Say about Reaping What You Sow?

The Bible often has a tendency to use planting and farming imagery, because most of the people worked an agricultural or pastoral job. Let's explore some other verses that talk about reaping and sowing.

2 Corinthians 9:6 : "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

We've often heard to give according to the desire of our hearts. Tithing doesn't just have to stop at 10 percent. We don't just have to give someone an obligatory hour of our time. Often when we give of ourselves to someone or to something, we see our effort returned.

Proverbs 22:8 : "Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail."

Sowing and reaping don't just have good connotations. We can reap and sow bad things too. Often, when we sow discord and injustice, we see these come back to us. Vengeance is the Lord's, and nothing we do can be hidden from him.

Luke 6:38 : "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Have you ever heard the term "measure for measure"? It comes from this verse. God wants us to have giving hearts. But if we give bad things to people, we will reap the consequences. Sowing has good and bad connotations. Jesus curses the fig tree but we know the fruit of the Spirit is blessed. Paul even lists the fruit of the Spirit a chapter prior to the reaping what you sow passage.

Do We Really Reap What We Sow?

Reaping and sowing are essentially about blessings and consequences. Sowing with actions like drunk driving results in a DUI. Having sex outside of marriage results in a broken heart, a broken spirit, STD’s, or an unplanned pregnancy. Cheating on exam results in a failing grade.

7 Scriptures to Help with Nightmares

Sowing in God’s Word results in choosing to obey creates safe boundaries. Choosing to wait until marriage for sex creates an unmatched intimacy with your spouse. Studying for exam results in a passing grade.

While it sounds like the phrase, “What goes around comes around,” it is not karma. Karma’s origins are in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions. It is believed the sum of a person’s actions, in this life, decides the fate of their future. This is not the concept of sowing and reaping.

As a new person in Christ, sowing means to live life according to the Word of God and doing the things he’s asked of each of us. In essence, it is planting the seeds of a spiritually fruitful garden with an overabundance of Christ’s love and strength to do it.

John 4:34 reminds us there is a joy in doing what God has called us and that joy isn’t dependent on the harvest that comes with our fruitful efforts.

In fact, Psalm 126:5 reminds us, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy” ( Psalm 126:5 ). God can even bring joy out of dire, even tragic, events.

God can even produce joy with our negative choices too. God’s law of sowing and reaping includes unmatched mercy and grace.

The heart of the Gospel is being able to reap what Jesus has sown for us in his mercy on the cross. Thank God the principle of grace is bigger than the law of reaping and sowing. We must remember to sow the fruit of the Spirit and not the fruit of the flesh. Because what we choose to sow will end up in our harvest.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Daniel Jensen

This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.

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Short Story

You Reap What You Sow

Shaylea Strinati-kerr, Grade 8

One Day this charity worker called Mitchel went to the richest man in the valley called Dominic’s house and knocked on the door. He knocked and knocked. Finally, just when Mitchel was about to give up, the heavy door opened and a man walked out and looked down on the charity worker and started to turn around and head back inside the extravagant mansion of a house “Wait!” yelled Mitchel. Which stopped Dominic in his tracks. “What do you want?” He asked in an arrogant voice. “We…I mean I was sent here to ask if you would make a donation to our charity?” Replied Mitchel. “Why should I do that? I was never helped by anyone to get to the top of my career!” Dominic exclaimed with the slightest hint of resentment and regret in his voice, that seemed to grow louder and louder as every word came forth from Dominic’s mouth, until it sounded like he was close to exploding from all the bottled up emotion in him. Mitchel just stood there, staring at the man’s retreating back, as he entered his heavy door and was gone from sight. Leaving him to staring into the dark wood of the door. Then Mitchel, unable to believe what had just occurred started to leave with mixed emotions of regret, anger and most of all…confusion. Questions began to run through his head. So fast it began to hurt. “How could the richest man in the area just walk way?” “Why would he do that?” Though, the question that that plagued him was. “Why was there so much resentment in the very few words the he had uttered?” Later that very day, Dominic had an epiphany; he was standing in a clearing, many, many years later in life. There were many different kinds of people in the clearing, from all different backgrounds. One by one the people started to fade into a bright white light until there was only him. Once he was alone he wondered why he hadn’t been taken with the others into the light. Then a figure with wings came down from the light, the person was oddly familiar, them Dominic realized it was the charity worker who had been by his house earlier. Dominic asked the man. “Why was I not taken with the light like the others?” “The others” replied the man. “Had given all they had, and therefore where welcomed into heaven. While you never gave a moment in your life, so you will not be coming through heaven’s doors.” And with that Dominic was vanished into darkness. After he had awoken the dream continued to plague him. So he went to the charity and gave his money. Many years later when Dominic did actually die, he did not see the charity worker but a much older looking man, much like his father. Who said the two words that Dominic had always wanted to hear from his father. “Welcome home.”

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The Ultimate Narrative Essay Guide for Beginners

A narrative essay tells a story in chronological order, with an introduction that introduces the characters and sets the scene. Then a series of events leads to a climax or turning point, and finally a resolution or reflection on the experience.

Speaking of which, are you in sixes and sevens about narrative essays? Don’t worry this ultimate expert guide will wipe out all your doubts. So let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Everything You Need to Know About Narrative Essay

What is a narrative essay.

When you go through a narrative essay definition, you would know that a narrative essay purpose is to tell a story. It’s all about sharing an experience or event and is different from other types of essays because it’s more focused on how the event made you feel or what you learned from it, rather than just presenting facts or an argument. Let’s explore more details on this interesting write-up and get to know how to write a narrative essay.

Elements of a Narrative Essay

Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of a narrative essay:

A narrative essay has a beginning, middle, and end. It builds up tension and excitement and then wraps things up in a neat package.

Real people, including the writer, often feature in personal narratives. Details of the characters and their thoughts, feelings, and actions can help readers to relate to the tale.

It’s really important to know when and where something happened so we can get a good idea of the context. Going into detail about what it looks like helps the reader to really feel like they’re part of the story.

Conflict or Challenge

A story in a narrative essay usually involves some kind of conflict or challenge that moves the plot along. It could be something inside the character, like a personal battle, or something from outside, like an issue they have to face in the world.

Theme or Message

A narrative essay isn’t just about recounting an event – it’s about showing the impact it had on you and what you took away from it. It’s an opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings about the experience, and how it changed your outlook.

Emotional Impact

The author is trying to make the story they’re telling relatable, engaging, and memorable by using language and storytelling to evoke feelings in whoever’s reading it.

Narrative essays let writers have a blast telling stories about their own lives. It’s an opportunity to share insights and impart wisdom, or just have some fun with the reader. Descriptive language, sensory details, dialogue, and a great narrative voice are all essentials for making the story come alive.

The Purpose of a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is more than just a story – it’s a way to share a meaningful, engaging, and relatable experience with the reader. Includes:

Sharing Personal Experience

Narrative essays are a great way for writers to share their personal experiences, feelings, thoughts, and reflections. It’s an opportunity to connect with readers and make them feel something.

Entertainment and Engagement

The essay attempts to keep the reader interested by using descriptive language, storytelling elements, and a powerful voice. It attempts to pull them in and make them feel involved by creating suspense, mystery, or an emotional connection.

Conveying a Message or Insight

Narrative essays are more than just a story – they aim to teach you something. They usually have a moral lesson, a new understanding, or a realization about life that the author gained from the experience.

Building Empathy and Understanding

By telling their stories, people can give others insight into different perspectives, feelings, and situations. Sharing these tales can create compassion in the reader and help broaden their knowledge of different life experiences.

Inspiration and Motivation

Stories about personal struggles, successes, and transformations can be really encouraging to people who are going through similar situations. It can provide them with hope and guidance, and let them know that they’re not alone.

Reflecting on Life’s Significance

These essays usually make you think about the importance of certain moments in life or the impact of certain experiences. They make you look deep within yourself and ponder on the things you learned or how you changed because of those events.

Demonstrating Writing Skills

Coming up with a gripping narrative essay takes serious writing chops, like vivid descriptions, powerful language, timing, and organization. It’s an opportunity for writers to show off their story-telling abilities.

Preserving Personal History

Sometimes narrative essays are used to record experiences and special moments that have an emotional resonance. They can be used to preserve individual memories or for future generations to look back on.

Cultural and Societal Exploration

Personal stories can look at cultural or social aspects, giving us an insight into customs, opinions, or social interactions seen through someone’s own experience.

Format of a Narrative Essay

Narrative essays are quite flexible in terms of format, which allows the writer to tell a story in a creative and compelling way. Here’s a quick breakdown of the narrative essay format, along with some examples:

Introduction

Set the scene and introduce the story.

Engage the reader and establish the tone of the narrative.

Hook: Start with a captivating opening line to grab the reader’s attention. For instance:

Example: “The scorching sun beat down on us as we trekked through the desert, our water supply dwindling.”

Background Information: Provide necessary context or background without giving away the entire story.

Example: “It was the summer of 2015 when I embarked on a life-changing journey to…”

Thesis Statement or Narrative Purpose

Present the main idea or the central message of the essay.

Offer a glimpse of what the reader can expect from the narrative.

Thesis Statement: This isn’t as rigid as in other essays but can be a sentence summarizing the essence of the story.

Example: “Little did I know, that seemingly ordinary hike would teach me invaluable lessons about resilience and friendship.”

Body Paragraphs

Present the sequence of events in chronological order.

Develop characters, setting, conflict, and resolution.

Story Progression: Describe events in the order they occurred, focusing on details that evoke emotions and create vivid imagery.

Example: Detail the trek through the desert, the challenges faced, interactions with fellow hikers, and the pivotal moments.

Character Development: Introduce characters and their roles in the story. Show their emotions, thoughts, and actions.

Example: Describe how each character reacted to the dwindling water supply and supported each other through adversity.

Dialogue and Interactions: Use dialogue to bring the story to life and reveal character personalities.

Example: “Sarah handed me her last bottle of water, saying, ‘We’re in this together.'”

Reach the peak of the story, the moment of highest tension or significance.

Turning Point: Highlight the most crucial moment or realization in the narrative.

Example: “As the sun dipped below the horizon and hope seemed lost, a distant sound caught our attention—the rescue team’s helicopters.”

Provide closure to the story.

Reflect on the significance of the experience and its impact.

Reflection: Summarize the key lessons learned or insights gained from the experience.

Example: “That hike taught me the true meaning of resilience and the invaluable support of friendship in challenging times.”

Closing Thought: End with a memorable line that reinforces the narrative’s message or leaves a lasting impression.

Example: “As we boarded the helicopters, I knew this adventure would forever be etched in my heart.”

Example Summary:

Imagine a narrative about surviving a challenging hike through the desert, emphasizing the bonds formed and lessons learned. The narrative essay structure might look like starting with an engaging scene, narrating the hardships faced, showcasing the characters’ resilience, and culminating in a powerful realization about friendship and endurance.

Different Types of Narrative Essays

There are a bunch of different types of narrative essays – each one focuses on different elements of storytelling and has its own purpose. Here’s a breakdown of the narrative essay types and what they mean.

Personal Narrative

Description: Tells a personal story or experience from the writer’s life.

Purpose: Reflects on personal growth, lessons learned, or significant moments.

Example of Narrative Essay Types:

Topic: “The Day I Conquered My Fear of Public Speaking”

Focus: Details the experience, emotions, and eventual triumph over a fear of public speaking during a pivotal event.

Descriptive Narrative

Description: Emphasizes vivid details and sensory imagery.

Purpose: Creates a sensory experience, painting a vivid picture for the reader.

Topic: “A Walk Through the Enchanted Forest”

Focus: Paints a detailed picture of the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings experienced during a walk through a mystical forest.

Autobiographical Narrative

Description: Chronicles significant events or moments from the writer’s life.

Purpose: Provides insights into the writer’s life, experiences, and growth.

Topic: “Lessons from My Childhood: How My Grandmother Shaped Who I Am”

Focus: Explores pivotal moments and lessons learned from interactions with a significant family member.

Experiential Narrative

Description: Relays experiences beyond the writer’s personal life.

Purpose: Shares experiences, travels, or events from a broader perspective.

Topic: “Volunteering in a Remote Village: A Journey of Empathy”

Focus: Chronicles the writer’s volunteering experience, highlighting interactions with a community and personal growth.

Literary Narrative

Description: Incorporates literary elements like symbolism, allegory, or thematic explorations.

Purpose: Uses storytelling for deeper explorations of themes or concepts.

Topic: “The Symbolism of the Red Door: A Journey Through Change”

Focus: Uses a red door as a symbol, exploring its significance in the narrator’s life and the theme of transition.

Historical Narrative

Description: Recounts historical events or periods through a personal lens.

Purpose: Presents history through personal experiences or perspectives.

Topic: “A Grandfather’s Tales: Living Through the Great Depression”

Focus: Shares personal stories from a family member who lived through a historical era, offering insights into that period.

Digital or Multimedia Narrative

Description: Incorporates multimedia elements like images, videos, or audio to tell a story.

Purpose: Explores storytelling through various digital platforms or formats.

Topic: “A Travel Diary: Exploring Europe Through Vlogs”

Focus: Combines video clips, photos, and personal narration to document a travel experience.

How to Choose a Topic for Your Narrative Essay?

Selecting a compelling topic for your narrative essay is crucial as it sets the stage for your storytelling. Choosing a boring topic is one of the narrative essay mistakes to avoid . Here’s a detailed guide on how to choose the right topic:

Reflect on Personal Experiences

Significant Moments:

Moments that had a profound impact on your life or shaped your perspective.

Example: A moment of triumph, overcoming a fear, a life-changing decision, or an unforgettable experience.

Emotional Resonance:

Events that evoke strong emotions or feelings.

Example: Joy, fear, sadness, excitement, or moments of realization.

Lessons Learned:

Experiences that taught you valuable lessons or brought about personal growth.

Example: Challenges that led to personal development, shifts in mindset, or newfound insights.

Explore Unique Perspectives

Uncommon Experiences:

Unique or unconventional experiences that might captivate the reader’s interest.

Example: Unusual travels, interactions with different cultures, or uncommon hobbies.

Different Points of View:

Stories from others’ perspectives that impacted you deeply.

Example: A family member’s story, a friend’s experience, or a historical event from a personal lens.

Focus on Specific Themes or Concepts

Themes or Concepts of Interest:

Themes or ideas you want to explore through storytelling.

Example: Friendship, resilience, identity, cultural diversity, or personal transformation.

Symbolism or Metaphor:

Using symbols or metaphors as the core of your narrative.

Example: Exploring the symbolism of an object or a place in relation to a broader theme.

Consider Your Audience and Purpose

Relevance to Your Audience:

Topics that resonate with your audience’s interests or experiences.

Example: Choose a relatable theme or experience that your readers might connect with emotionally.

Impact or Message:

What message or insight do you want to convey through your story?

Example: Choose a topic that aligns with the message or lesson you aim to impart to your readers.

Brainstorm and Evaluate Ideas

Free Writing or Mind Mapping:

Process: Write down all potential ideas without filtering. Mind maps or free-writing exercises can help generate diverse ideas.

Evaluate Feasibility:

The depth of the story, the availability of vivid details, and your personal connection to the topic.

Imagine you’re considering topics for a narrative essay. You reflect on your experiences and decide to explore the topic of “Overcoming Stage Fright: How a School Play Changed My Perspective.” This topic resonates because it involves a significant challenge you faced and the personal growth it brought about.

Narrative Essay Topics

50 easy narrative essay topics.

Learning to Ride a Bike
My First Day of School
A Surprise Birthday Party
The Day I Got Lost
Visiting a Haunted House
An Encounter with a Wild Animal
My Favorite Childhood Toy
The Best Vacation I Ever Had
An Unforgettable Family Gathering
Conquering a Fear of Heights
A Special Gift I Received
Moving to a New City
The Most Memorable Meal
Getting Caught in a Rainstorm
An Act of Kindness I Witnessed
The First Time I Cooked a Meal
My Experience with a New Hobby
The Day I Met My Best Friend
A Hike in the Mountains
Learning a New Language
An Embarrassing Moment
Dealing with a Bully
My First Job Interview
A Sporting Event I Attended
The Scariest Dream I Had
Helping a Stranger
The Joy of Achieving a Goal
A Road Trip Adventure
Overcoming a Personal Challenge
The Significance of a Family Tradition
An Unusual Pet I Owned
A Misunderstanding with a Friend
Exploring an Abandoned Building
My Favorite Book and Why
The Impact of a Role Model
A Cultural Celebration I Participated In
A Valuable Lesson from a Teacher
A Trip to the Zoo
An Unplanned Adventure
Volunteering Experience
A Moment of Forgiveness
A Decision I Regretted
A Special Talent I Have
The Importance of Family Traditions
The Thrill of Performing on Stage
A Moment of Sudden Inspiration
The Meaning of Home
Learning to Play a Musical Instrument
A Childhood Memory at the Park
Witnessing a Beautiful Sunset

Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

Discovering a New Passion
Overcoming Academic Challenges
Navigating Cultural Differences
Embracing Independence: Moving Away from Home
Exploring Career Aspirations
Coping with Stress in College
The Impact of a Mentor in My Life
Balancing Work and Studies
Facing a Fear of Public Speaking
Exploring a Semester Abroad
The Evolution of My Study Habits
Volunteering Experience That Changed My Perspective
The Role of Technology in Education
Finding Balance: Social Life vs. Academics
Learning a New Skill Outside the Classroom
Reflecting on Freshman Year Challenges
The Joys and Struggles of Group Projects
My Experience with Internship or Work Placement
Challenges of Time Management in College
Redefining Success Beyond Grades
The Influence of Literature on My Thinking
The Impact of Social Media on College Life
Overcoming Procrastination
Lessons from a Leadership Role
Exploring Diversity on Campus
Exploring Passion for Environmental Conservation
An Eye-Opening Course That Changed My Perspective
Living with Roommates: Challenges and Lessons
The Significance of Extracurricular Activities
The Influence of a Professor on My Academic Journey
Discussing Mental Health in College
The Evolution of My Career Goals
Confronting Personal Biases Through Education
The Experience of Attending a Conference or Symposium
Challenges Faced by Non-Native English Speakers in College
The Impact of Traveling During Breaks
Exploring Identity: Cultural or Personal
The Impact of Music or Art on My Life
Addressing Diversity in the Classroom
Exploring Entrepreneurial Ambitions
My Experience with Research Projects
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome in College
The Importance of Networking in College
Finding Resilience During Tough Times
The Impact of Global Issues on Local Perspectives
The Influence of Family Expectations on Education
Lessons from a Part-Time Job
Exploring the College Sports Culture
The Role of Technology in Modern Education
The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Education

Narrative Essay Comparison

Narrative essay vs. descriptive essay.

Here’s our first narrative essay comparison! While both narrative and descriptive essays focus on vividly portraying a subject or an event, they differ in their primary objectives and approaches. Now, let’s delve into the nuances of comparison on narrative essays.

Narrative Essay:

Storytelling: Focuses on narrating a personal experience or event.

Chronological Order: Follows a structured timeline of events to tell a story.

Message or Lesson: Often includes a central message, moral, or lesson learned from the experience.

Engagement: Aims to captivate the reader through a compelling storyline and character development.

First-Person Perspective: Typically narrated from the writer’s point of view, using “I” and expressing personal emotions and thoughts.

Plot Development: Emphasizes a plot with a beginning, middle, climax, and resolution.

Character Development: Focuses on describing characters, their interactions, emotions, and growth.

Conflict or Challenge: Usually involves a central conflict or challenge that drives the narrative forward.

Dialogue: Incorporates conversations to bring characters and their interactions to life.

Reflection: Concludes with reflection or insight gained from the experience.

Descriptive Essay:

Vivid Description: Aims to vividly depict a person, place, object, or event.

Imagery and Details: Focuses on sensory details to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind.

Emotion through Description: Uses descriptive language to evoke emotions and engage the reader’s senses.

Painting a Picture: Creates a sensory-rich description allowing the reader to visualize the subject.

Imagery and Sensory Details: Focuses on providing rich sensory descriptions, using vivid language and adjectives.

Point of Focus: Concentrates on describing a specific subject or scene in detail.

Spatial Organization: Often employs spatial organization to describe from one area or aspect to another.

Objective Observations: Typically avoids the use of personal opinions or emotions; instead, the focus remains on providing a detailed and objective description.

Comparison:

Focus: Narrative essays emphasize storytelling, while descriptive essays focus on vividly describing a subject or scene.

Perspective: Narrative essays are often written from a first-person perspective, while descriptive essays may use a more objective viewpoint.

Purpose: Narrative essays aim to convey a message or lesson through a story, while descriptive essays aim to paint a detailed picture for the reader without necessarily conveying a specific message.

Narrative Essay vs. Argumentative Essay

The narrative essay and the argumentative essay serve distinct purposes and employ different approaches:

Engagement and Emotion: Aims to captivate the reader through a compelling story.

Reflective: Often includes reflection on the significance of the experience or lessons learned.

First-Person Perspective: Typically narrated from the writer’s point of view, sharing personal emotions and thoughts.

Plot Development: Emphasizes a storyline with a beginning, middle, climax, and resolution.

Message or Lesson: Conveys a central message, moral, or insight derived from the experience.

Argumentative Essay:

Persuasion and Argumentation: Aims to persuade the reader to adopt the writer’s viewpoint on a specific topic.

Logical Reasoning: Presents evidence, facts, and reasoning to support a particular argument or stance.

Debate and Counterarguments: Acknowledge opposing views and counter them with evidence and reasoning.

Thesis Statement: Includes a clear thesis statement that outlines the writer’s position on the topic.

Thesis and Evidence: Starts with a strong thesis statement and supports it with factual evidence, statistics, expert opinions, or logical reasoning.

Counterarguments: Addresses opposing viewpoints and provides rebuttals with evidence.

Logical Structure: Follows a logical structure with an introduction, body paragraphs presenting arguments and evidence, and a conclusion reaffirming the thesis.

Formal Language: Uses formal language and avoids personal anecdotes or emotional appeals.

Objective: Argumentative essays focus on presenting a logical argument supported by evidence, while narrative essays prioritize storytelling and personal reflection.

Purpose: Argumentative essays aim to persuade and convince the reader of a particular viewpoint, while narrative essays aim to engage, entertain, and share personal experiences.

Structure: Narrative essays follow a storytelling structure with character development and plot, while argumentative essays follow a more formal, structured approach with logical arguments and evidence.

In essence, while both essays involve writing and presenting information, the narrative essay focuses on sharing a personal experience, whereas the argumentative essay aims to persuade the audience by presenting a well-supported argument.

Narrative Essay vs. Personal Essay

While there can be an overlap between narrative and personal essays, they have distinctive characteristics:

Storytelling: Emphasizes recounting a specific experience or event in a structured narrative form.

Engagement through Story: Aims to engage the reader through a compelling story with characters, plot, and a central theme or message.

Reflective: Often includes reflection on the significance of the experience and the lessons learned.

First-Person Perspective: Typically narrated from the writer’s viewpoint, expressing personal emotions and thoughts.

Plot Development: Focuses on developing a storyline with a clear beginning, middle, climax, and resolution.

Character Development: Includes descriptions of characters, their interactions, emotions, and growth.

Central Message: Conveys a central message, moral, or insight derived from the experience.

Personal Essay:

Exploration of Ideas or Themes: Explores personal ideas, opinions, or reflections on a particular topic or subject.

Expression of Thoughts and Opinions: Expresses the writer’s thoughts, feelings, and perspectives on a specific subject matter.

Reflection and Introspection: Often involves self-reflection and introspection on personal experiences, beliefs, or values.

Varied Structure and Content: Can encompass various forms, including memoirs, personal anecdotes, or reflections on life experiences.

Flexibility in Structure: Allows for diverse structures and forms based on the writer’s intent, which could be narrative-like or more reflective.

Theme-Centric Writing: Focuses on exploring a central theme or idea, with personal anecdotes or experiences supporting and illustrating the theme.

Expressive Language: Utilizes descriptive and expressive language to convey personal perspectives, emotions, and opinions.

Focus: Narrative essays primarily focus on storytelling through a structured narrative, while personal essays encompass a broader range of personal expression, which can include storytelling but isn’t limited to it.

Structure: Narrative essays have a more structured plot development with characters and a clear sequence of events, while personal essays might adopt various structures, focusing more on personal reflection, ideas, or themes.

Intent: While both involve personal experiences, narrative essays emphasize telling a story with a message or lesson learned, while personal essays aim to explore personal thoughts, feelings, or opinions on a broader range of topics or themes.

5 Easy Steps for Writing a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is more than just telling a story. It’s also meant to engage the reader, get them thinking, and leave a lasting impact. Whether it’s to amuse, motivate, teach, or reflect, these essays are a great way to communicate with your audience. This interesting narrative essay guide was all about letting you understand the narrative essay, its importance, and how can you write one.

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You Reap What You Sow Meaning: Learn the Surprising Truth Behind This Famous Saying

By: Author English Study Online

Posted on Last updated: November 1, 2023

Sharing is caring!

“You Reap What You Sow” is a well-known slang phrase that has been around for many years. It is often used to convey a sense of inevitability or consequence, and has become a popular way to describe the relationship between actions and outcomes. In this article, we will delve into the origins and usage of this phrase, exploring psychological perspective and how it shapes our behavior.

You Reap What You Sow Meaning

Table of Contents

What Does “ You Reap What You Sow” Mean?

The phrase “You Reap What You Sow” has a profound meaning that can be applied to many aspects of life. It implies that the consequences of your actions will eventually catch up with you, whether they are good or bad. In other words, if you do good things, good things will happen to you, and if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you.

This concept is not new and can be traced back to ancient times, where it was a common belief that your actions would determine your destiny. In modern times, this phrase has become a popular idiom used to remind people of the importance of taking responsibility for their actions.

The idea of reaping what you sow can be applied to many areas of life, including relationships, career, and personal growth. For example, if you treat others with kindness and respect, you are more likely to have positive relationships. If you work hard and put in the effort, you are more likely to succeed in your career. If you invest time and energy into personal growth, you are more likely to achieve your goals.

On the other hand, if you treat others poorly, you are more likely to have negative relationships. If you are lazy and don’t put in the effort, you are more likely to fail in your career. If you neglect personal growth, you are more likely to feel unfulfilled and unhappy.

Origin and History

Biblical references.

The most well-known reference to this phrase is found in Galatians 6:7-8, which states, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

In this passage, the metaphor of sowing and reaping is used to illustrate the idea that our actions have consequences. If we sow good deeds, we will reap good rewards, but if we sow bad deeds, we will reap negative consequences.

Other biblical references to this concept can be found in Proverbs 22:8, which states, “Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken,” and Hosea 10:12, which states, “Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.”

Cultural Interpretations

The idea of sowing and reaping has also been interpreted and adapted by various cultures and religions around the world. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the concept of karma is similar to the idea of sowing and reaping, where your actions in this life will determine your fate in the next.

In Western culture, the phrase “You Reap What You Sow” is often used to encourage people to take responsibility for their actions and to think about the long-term consequences of their choices. It is also used as a warning to those who engage in negative behaviors, reminding them that their actions will have negative consequences.

Real Life Examples

Personal relationships.

In personal relationships, the principle of “you reap what you sow” is often seen in action. If you treat your partner with love and respect, they are more likely to reciprocate those feelings and treat you in the same way. On the other hand, if you mistreat your partner or take them for granted, they may become resentful and distant.

For example, if you constantly cancel plans with your friend, they may eventually stop making plans with you altogether. Or if you lie to your partner, they may lose trust in you and become distant. In both cases, you are reaping what you sow – your actions have consequences, and you are experiencing the results of those actions.

Professional Settings

The principle of “you reap what you sow” also applies in professional settings. If you work hard and consistently produce high-quality work, you are more likely to be recognized and rewarded for your efforts. However, if you slack off or produce subpar work, you may find yourself passed over for promotions or even let go from your job.

For example, if you consistently show up late to work or miss deadlines, your boss may start to see you as unreliable and unprofessional. Or if you gossip about your coworkers or engage in office politics, you may find yourself isolated and excluded from important projects or meetings. In both cases, you are reaping what you sow – your actions have consequences, and you are experiencing the results of those actions.

Psychological Perspective

From a psychological perspective, “you reap what you sow” can be seen as a manifestation of the law of cause and effect. This law suggests that every action has a consequence, and every consequence has a cause. Psychologists might use this proverb to explain how a person’s present actions can shape their future outcomes.

The behavioral perspective, for example, is interested in how behaviors are learned and maintained. This perspective might suggest that the consequences of a person’s actions will determine whether they continue to engage in those behaviors. For instance, if someone consistently engages in negative behaviors, such as lying or stealing, they are likely to experience negative consequences, such as losing the trust of others or facing legal consequences.

The cognitive perspective, on the other hand, is interested in how people think and perceive the world around them. This perspective might suggest that a person’s beliefs about themselves and the world can influence their actions and the outcomes they experience. For example, if someone believes that they are destined to fail, they may engage in self-sabotaging behaviors that lead to negative outcomes.

In addition, the law of attraction, a concept popularized by the New Thought movement, suggests that a person’s thoughts and emotions can attract similar experiences into their lives. This perspective might suggest that if someone consistently focuses on negative thoughts and emotions, they are likely to attract negative experiences into their lives.

How It Shapes Our Behavior

Encourages responsibility.

The saying “You Reap What You Sow” encourages us to take responsibility for our actions. It reminds us that we cannot blame others for the outcomes of our choices. Instead, we must own up to our mistakes and take steps to correct them. This sense of responsibility can help us make better decisions and avoid repeating past mistakes.

Promotes Positive Actions

The proverb also encourages us to take positive actions. When we sow good seeds, we can expect to reap a good harvest. This means that we should strive to do good, be kind, and help others. By doing so, we can create a positive cycle of good deeds that will benefit ourselves and those around us.

Discourages Negative Behaviors

Conversely, the proverb also discourages negative behaviors. When we sow bad seeds, we can expect to reap a bad harvest. This means that we should avoid doing harm to others, engaging in unethical behavior, or making poor choices. By doing so, we can avoid negative consequences and create a better future for ourselves and those around us.

Teaches Patience

Finally, the proverb “You Reap What You Sow” teaches us the value of patience. Just as a farmer must wait for their crops to grow, we must be patient and wait for the results of our actions. This can be challenging, especially when we are facing difficult circumstances. However, by trusting in the process and remaining patient, we can reap the rewards of our hard work and perseverance.

Critiques and Counterarguments

While the phrase “you reap what you sow” is widely accepted as a truth, some people argue against it. Here are some critiques and counterarguments to consider:

Critique: It’s not always true

Some people argue that the phrase is not always true. They point out that sometimes good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. They argue that the phrase oversimplifies the complexity of life.

Counterargument: It’s a general principle

While it’s true that there are exceptions to the rule, “you reap what you sow” is a general principle that holds true in most cases. If you consistently make bad decisions, it’s likely that you will experience negative consequences. If you consistently make good decisions, it’s likely that you will experience positive consequences.

Critique: It’s victim-blaming

Some people argue that the phrase is victim-blaming. They point out that it suggests that people who experience negative consequences are solely responsible for their situation, and ignores the role that external factors may play.

Counterargument: It’s about personal responsibility

While external factors can certainly play a role in our lives, the phrase “you reap what you sow” is ultimately about personal responsibility. It encourages us to take ownership of our actions and their consequences, rather than blaming others or external circumstances. It’s a reminder that we have agency in our lives and can make choices that lead to positive outcomes.

Critique: It’s not helpful

Some people argue that the phrase is not helpful, as it can be interpreted as judgmental or dismissive of people who are struggling.

Counterargument: It’s a call to action

Rather than being judgmental or dismissive, the phrase “you reap what you sow” is actually a call to action. It encourages us to take a proactive approach to our lives and make choices that align with our values and goals. It’s a reminder that we have the power to shape our own futures, and that our actions have consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of reaping what you sow?

Examples of reaping what you sow can be found in many aspects of life. If you work hard and put in the effort, you will likely achieve success. Alternatively, if you neglect your responsibilities, you will likely face negative consequences. For instance, if you don’t study for a test, you will probably fail it. If you treat others poorly, you will likely find yourself without friends.

What is the meaning behind the saying ‘you reap what you sow’?

The saying ‘you reap what you sow’ means that your actions have consequences. The actions you take today will shape your future. If you make positive choices and work hard, you will likely experience positive outcomes. However, if you make negative choices and neglect your responsibilities, you will likely face negative outcomes.

Is the saying ‘you reap what you sow’ negative?

The saying ‘you reap what you sow’ is not inherently negative. It simply means that your actions have consequences. Whether those consequences are positive or negative depends on the choices you make. If you make positive choices and work hard, you will likely experience positive outcomes. However, if you make negative choices and neglect your responsibilities, you will likely face negative outcomes.

Is the idea of ‘you reap what you sow’ true?

Yes, the idea of ‘you reap what you sow’ is true. Your actions have consequences, and those consequences will shape your future. If you make positive choices and work hard, you will likely experience positive outcomes. However, if you make negative choices and neglect your responsibilities, you will likely face negative outcomes.

What is the difference between ‘you reap what you sow’ and karma?

‘You reap what you sow’ and karma are similar in that they both suggest that your actions have consequences. However, karma is a concept from Hinduism and Buddhism that suggests that your actions will determine your fate in future lives. ‘You reap what you sow’ is a more general concept that suggests that your actions will shape your future in this life.

What is the meaning of the phrase ‘reap what you sow’ in the Bible?

In the Bible , the phrase ‘reap what you sow’ is used as a metaphor for one’s actions and the results of those actions. It suggests that if you make positive choices and follow God’s commands, you will experience positive outcomes. However, if you make negative choices and disobey God’s commands, you will face negative outcomes.

You Reap What You Sow: Meaning and 30+ Bible Verses

By: Author Akatakpo Dunn

Posted on Last updated: June 26, 2023

Categories Edification

Interestingly, the exact phrase “you reap what you sow” is not recorded in the Bible.

This is a generally accepted idiom that originated many years ago.

In essence, this phrase means that life has a universal principle: whatever you do today has consequences tomorrow.

This is the same principle the Bible teache s.

If we obey God’s commandments, then we are sure of a reward – Eternal life .

However, if we choose to live in ways that are contrary to the will of God, then we’ve decided to choose death over life – Eternal destruction.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap Galatians 6:7.

This message of Paul reminds us that whatever we do (sow) has consequences (reap) .

Many people believe that they can do anything and get away with it.

They think they can commit murder, adultery, fornication, and drunkenness, and yet still inherit God’s kingdom.

But Paul is talking to these kinds of people. So he said, “Be not deceived.”

The devil is the father of lies. He tells you something contrary to the will of God.

Just like he deceived the woman, Eve, he keeps creating distrust in the hearts of God’s people.

Paul is reminding us that we should not fall for the devil’s tricks.

If we do, we will face the consequences. He continued and said, “God is not mocked.”

No matter how you deceive others outwardly, you cannot deceive the almighty God.

He alone searches the heart of man. He knows everything you’ve done, or you’re planning to do.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God said;

I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds

Therefore, as Christians, we must be cautious about every step we take.

God searches the hearts of man and will never let the works of the righteous go unrewarded.

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Table of Contents

You reap what You sow bible verses.

I have compiled other bible verses that show God will hold us accountable for our actions. If we choose to be righteous, God has promised us life eternal. However, if we decide to follow the devil’s ways, then we will face the consequences in the end.

Read and be blessed.

1. Deuteronomy 30:19

You Reap What You Sow Meaning and 10 Bible Verses

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live

The principle “You Reap What You Sow” resonates in Deuteronomy 30:19 . It’s akin to a farmer’s law – we harvest what we plant. This law permeates life, influencing our destiny through the choices we make.

This verse offers a vivid choice: life or death, blessing or curse. God, in His fatherly love, urges us to choose life and blessings. It mirrors a student’s journey. If the student invests time in diligent study, the outcome is academic success and scholarship opportunities. Conversely, if they neglect their studies, academic struggles are inevitable.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 amplifies this dichotomy. It lays out the consequences of our actions. Obedience results in blessings; disobedience leads to curses. Our actions set the stage for the outcomes we encounter.

Joshua 24:15 emphasizes personal responsibility in choosing our path. We hold the reins of our decisions. God, our witness, holds us accountable. It underlines the importance of wise decision-making.

For instance, take the example of Adam and Eve from the book of Genesis . Their choice to eat from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge, despite God’s clear command, led to dire consequences.

They were expelled from Eden, sin entered the world, and death became a part of human existence. That one decision, that one seed sown, resulted in a harvest that continues to this day.

Our choices have a ripple effect. They impact not just us but those around us, including future generations. The verse underscores that our choices can shape our descendants’ destiny. It calls for thoughtful consideration of our actions’ long-term effects.

In conclusion, “You Reap What You Sow” highlights the weight of our decisions. It compels us to choose life, to align our actions with God’s commandments. This way, we can expect to reap blessings, not curses. It’s a timeless reminder that our today’s decisions will shape our tomorrow’s reality.

Reflecting on this principle, I find a vital guide for life. Today’s decisions shape tomorrow’s outcomes. As I sow, so shall I reap – a powerful reminder that each decision is a seed planted, destined to bring a harvest. Let’s aim for a harvest of blessings and life. Each of us holds the power to make that choice.

2. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” [ a ]

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

The principle, “you reap what you sow,” is an enduring truth with profound implications. Consider 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 . It reveals that abundant giving leads to abundant returns.

Take the widow of Zarephath ( 1 Kings 17:7-16 ) as an example. Amid a dire famine, she chose to give her last meal to Prophet Elijah. It seemed illogical, even self-destructive. But in faith’s perspective, it was an act of copious sowing. And she reaped a miraculous harvest: a ceaseless supply of oil and flour throughout the famine.

God is undeniably the orchestrator of this principle. He provides both the seed and the harvest. This viewpoint aligns with Proverbs 19:17 , which indicates that when we aid the poor, it’s as if we are lending to God Himself. And He assures our repayment. I believe we are stewards, not owners, of God’s provisions.

Generosity not only enriches us, but it also triggers joy and gratitude towards God in the lives we touch. Our giving reaches beyond the material realm, resonating with our spiritual nature. As Luke 6:38 propounds, the measure we give is the measure we receive.

In conclusion, the sowing and reaping principle takes on a unique dimension within a generosity context. As highlighted in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 , a heart that willingly sows into others’ lives will reap an abundance of blessings.

In essence, sowing and reaping is a transformative practice. When we participate, we align ourselves with God’s heart . He, in His infinite kindness, ensures we are replenished.

3. Hosea 10:12

Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord , until he comes and showers his righteousness on you

At the heart of Hosea 10:12 lies a profound principle: sow righteousness, reap steadfast love. Just as a seed grows into a bountiful tree, so does righteousness yield love.

Our journey begins with seeking righteousness. Jeremiah 4:3 complements this concept, urging us to prepare our hearts, our ‘fertile ground,’ to receive righteousness. The actions we choose are the seeds we plant.

However, harvesting righteousness demands patience. The insight in James 3:18 underlines this. It assures us that a peaceful harvest of righteousness will arrive in its due season. Immediate rewards may not be apparent, but they will manifest with time.

God’s mercy plays a crucial role here. As per Hosea 10:12 , sowing righteousness leads to divine blessings. It’s a spiritual partnership with God , yielding a fulfilling cycle of sowing and reaping.

Every day, we face a choice – to sow righteousness or unrighteousness. Our actions become the seeds we plant. The Bible provides an inspiring example in King David. Known for his love of God’s law, he reaped the rewards of righteousness, becoming a man after God’s own heart ( Acts 13:22 ).

However, walking the path of righteousness isn’t always easy. At times, it can feel like sowing seeds in a desert. But Hosea 10:12 encourages perseverance. In due time, the seed sprouts, the harvest comes.

So, in the garden of life, remember: sow righteousness, reap steadfast love. It’s not merely about the harvest, but about the growth, love, and impact that comes with it.

4. Romans 2:6-10

God “will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil:first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile

Paul’s letter to the Romans delivers a vital message. Romans 2:6-10 is the embodiment of the age-old principle: You Reap What You Sow.

Paul states, “God will repay each person according to what they have done.” This line resonates with Psalm 62:12 , underscoring God’s righteous judgement. Our actions bear weight. They carry rewards or consequences. It’s a divine balancing act.

In his letter, Paul contrasts two paths. One leads to eternal life through seeking glory, honor, and immortality by doing good. The other, marked by self-seeking and denial of truth, leads to wrath and fury. It forces us to reflect. What seeds do our actions plant?

God shows no favoritism, as these verses illuminate. This parallels Matthew 16:27 , where Jesus speaks of rewarding each person according to their deeds. It’s a universal truth, a divine law applying to all.

The fate of Haman in the book of Esther serves as a stark illustration. Haman’s plot to annihilate Mordecai led him to construct gallows. Yet, the seeds of spite he sowed led to his own undoing. He himself was hanged on those gallows, a vivid example of reaping what one sows.

However, Romans 2:6-10 is not merely a warning. It’s a promise. Good deeds, performed with patience, yield glory, honor, and peace. This divine favor is the reward for virtuous actions.

In conclusion, Romans 2:6-10 is a compass, directing us towards righteousness. It prompts us to be conscious of our actions. As I reflect, I invite you to consider: what seeds are we sowing today? For we will harvest what we have sown.

5. Proverbs 11:18

A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward

In Proverbs 11:18 , we find a key life principle: “You reap what you sow.” This profound proverb contrasts the outcomes of wickedness and righteousness. Wickedness might offer immediate benefits but ultimately results in a deceptive reward. Righteousness, though it may demand more, promises an enduring reward.

At the heart of this message is the concept of choice. When we choose wickedness, it may seem beneficial initially. We might feel a momentary rush of power or success. But remember, this ‘profit’ is illusory. It’s temporary, deceptive.

Conversely, sowing righteousness may seem challenging. It requires patience, self-sacrifice. Yet, the rewards of righteousness are sure, tangible. It’s not an empty promise but a steadfast reality.

This distinction between wickedness and righteousness isn’t merely a moral lesson. It’s also about our wellbeing. Wickedness brings temporary gains, but at a significant cost. Fear, guilt, constant pressure – these are the real ‘profits’ of wickedness. Righteousness, despite its challenges, offers inner peace, satisfaction.

One biblical account perfectly encapsulates this concept. Achan, as we read in Joshua 7 , allowed greed to lead him into deceit. He took spoils from Jericho, hiding them away, directly disobeying God’s command.

While he may have thought his actions would lead to personal gain, the consequences were severe – not just for him, but for his entire family.

And you know what? This principle applies equally to our world today. Consider a business that takes unethical shortcuts to maximize profit. It might enjoy significant short-term gains, leading its stakeholders to believe they’ve hit the jackpot.

But over time, the truth inevitably comes out. Trust is broken. Reputations are shattered. Legal battles ensue. And the business, once seemingly prosperous, crumbles into bankruptcy.

Proverbs 22:8 reiterates this truth: “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity.” Wickedness might seem to win temporarily, but it’s a fleeting victory. Righteousness has the final word.

In conclusion, we have a choice. We can choose wickedness and deception, with their fleeting and deceptive rewards. Or we can choose righteousness, with its enduring and sure rewards. The choice is ours. And as we sow, so shall we reap. Choose wisely.

6. Job 15:31

Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return

Job 15:31 , echoes a powerful principle: “You Reap What You Sow.” The verse warns us, “Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return.” This simple yet profound message has layers of meaning. It speaks about the dangers of self-deception and the fallacy of false security.

Consider someone fixated on amassing wealth or engaging in wrongful deeds. They might feel secure, basking in their material gains or ill-gotten power. However, this sense of security is as unreliable as a house on quicksand. It may stand for a while, but it’s destined to collapse.

Likewise, wickedness might offer short-lived gains, but its end result is nothingness. Think of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus . Despite multiple warnings from Moses, he refused to let the Israelites go. His stubbornness led to Egypt experiencing a series of devastating plagues.

From water turning into blood to painful boils, from thick darkness to the death of the firstborn, Egypt reaped the consequences of Pharaoh’s obstinacy.

In our lives too, actions bear significant consequences. Take, for example, someone who persistently ignores health advice, favoring unhealthy habits. Momentary pleasure could lead to debilitating health problems. It’s akin to indulging in sweets, knowing they’ll cause tooth decay.

Job 15:31 strongly reinforces the principle of “You Reap What You Sow”. Sowing wickedness yields a harvest of vanity. Job 4:8 aptly aligns with this idea, stating, “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” In essence, sowing wickedness and expecting to reap virtue is like planting thistles, hoping for grapes.

Finally, let’s focus on the transitory nature of unjustly earned wealth. Job’s verse emphasizes that such wealth offers no real security. It’s as fleeting as a shadow at sunset. Our actions are seeds, with outcomes being the fruits we harvest. If we sow virtue, we reap virtue. Conversely, sowing wickedness yields vanity.

Therefore, the choice is ours. Choose wisely, sow seeds of kindness, honesty, and love, for a fruitful and fulfilling harvest.

7. Hosea 8:7

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

Understanding the concept of “You Reap What You Sow” is made easy by the vivid metaphor in Hosea 8:7 : “They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.” In life, just as in farming, what we plant determines what we harvest.

Hosea 8:7 alludes to destructive outcomes of wickedness. Like a wind evolving into a whirlwind, minor actions can amplify into severe consequences. If you plant wickedness, you will harvest chaos. This principle mirrors Galatians 6:7 : “A man reaps what he sows.”

Remember Noah from Genesis 6-9? Amid rampant wickedness, he chose righteousness. While society sowed wind — wickedness, Noah sowed a different wind — righteousness. What was reaped? Society faced the whirlwind of divine judgment, a flood. But Noah reaped a whirlwind of salvation. His righteousness saved his family and him.

Proverbs 22:8 paints a similar picture: “Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity.” Small, unjust actions can snowball into calamity, a whirlwind indeed.

Hosea 8:7 captures the sow-reap principle using a natural metaphor. Each of our actions is a wind, a seed sown into life’s soil. With time, the seed grows into a whirlwind, a harvest proportional to the seed sown. If we sow love, we will reap love. If we sow hate, we reap discord.

In conclusion, the Bible encourages us to sow righteousness. Like Noah, let’s sow righteousness in our lives. We must understand that actions aren’t inconsequential breezes but seeds with the potential to grow into whirlwinds. So, let’s be mindful of our actions today, knowing that we will harvest our sown wind as a whirlwind in due time.

8. 1 John 3:7

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 John 3:7 offers a profound truth, “Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.” This scripture embodies the principle of “You Reap What You Sow.” To decipher its meaning, let’s explore five points anchored in the scriptures of James 1:22 and Romans 2:13 .

First, righteousness is about doing right. James 1:22 advises, “be doers of the word, not hearers only.” Righteousness demands action, not just words. This aligns with our theme: sowing acts of righteousness reaps a life reflecting God’s divine character.

Second, the verse warns against deception. Deceit can misguide us to confuse appearances with reality. Romans 2:13 suggests that true righteousness transcends listening to the law; it involves practicing it. We can’t reap righteousness by sowing insincerity.

Third, the verse reinforces Christ’s righteousness. Knowing Him involves practicing righteousness in our lives. This practice helps us reap a deeper connection with Him, aligning ourselves with His divine essence.

Fourth, righteousness reflects Christ within us. When we do right, we mirror Christ’s character. Doing so gives a face to our faith, signifying our association with Christ.

Finally, we understand that our actions reveal our character. If we examine the Biblical story of Daniel , we find a vivid illustration of this principle. Despite facing threats and adversity, Daniel refused to abandon his faith. His actions consistently reflected his commitment to righteousness.

And in the den of lions, his unwavering integrity protected him ( Daniel 6 ). He sowed righteousness, and he reaped divine favor and protection.

In conclusion, the principle of reaping what we sow, as it relates to righteousness, is transformative. By sowing righteous deeds, we honor God and pave the way for a spiritually rich harvest.

It is essential to remember that living out faith is more powerful than talking about it. Embracing this principle on our faith journey will lead to a life that truly reflects Christ within us.

9. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God

The principles in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reflect the profound concept of “You Reap What You Sow”. Unrighteousness, the scripture warns, can obstruct our path to the Kingdom of God. It’s an uncomfortable truth, isn’t it? Galatians 5:19-21 and Ephesians 5:5 affirm this, vividly illustrating the negative impact of unrighteous deeds.

But here’s the silver lining. Christ’s sacrifice offers a transformative power that changes everything. Acknowledging our sinful past is the first step towards this transformation. Saul of Tarsus exemplifies this. A fierce persecutor turned devoted apostle, his story in Acts 9 paints a vivid picture of transformation through Christ.

This transformation births a new life, a clear contrast between past sins and a new, righteous walk with Christ. It’s a call to embrace a different way, leaving behind unrighteous deeds for a life aligned with Christ. Today, as I reflect, this message seems as relevant as it was centuries ago.

But let’s not forget. Our actions have spiritual consequences. The seeds we sow today, righteous or unrighteous, will determine our harvest tomorrow. Yet, it’s heartening to know that we can lean on Christ’s transformative power. It’s a resource always available to us, irrespective of our past.

In sum, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 delivers a timeless message. It’s a cautionary tale, a beacon of hope, a story of transformation, and a testimony of divine love. As we strive for righteousness, we must remember to lean on Christ’s transformative power.

After all, the seeds we sow greatly impact the harvest we reap, both in this life and in God’s Kingdom.

10. Job 4:8

As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it

Job 4:8 presents a profound principle: “those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.” This idea, echoed in Proverbs 1:31 and Galatians 6:7-8 , drives home a universal truth – actions yield corresponding outcomes.

Take Jacob’s story, who cunningly acquired Esau’s birthright ( Genesis 25:29-34 ). Initially successful, Jacob’s deceit had repercussions. In a cruel twist of fate, Jacob was later tricked by his sons, who led him to believe his beloved Joseph was dead ( Genesis 37 ).

Intriguing, isn’t it? His own offspring deceived him, reflecting the deceit he once practiced. Jacob’s season of sorrow is an apt illustration of the principle highlighted in Job 4:8.

This “sow-reap” rule applies universally. Whether king or commoner, the law remains consistent. Each action primes a reaction, reflecting the balance of divine justice.

Job 4:8 is a stark reminder to tread carefully. Mischievous actions, though seemingly thrilling, often yield a bitter harvest. It urges us towards righteousness, underscoring the long-lasting consequences of our actions.

Divine retribution is not about punishment but about the interplay of choices and outcomes. As we journey through life, we must remember that our decisions, the seeds we plant, will yield a corresponding harvest. What seeds are you planting today? Your harvest lies in your hands.

Akatakpo Dunn

Dr. Akatakpo Dunn is a dedicated follower of Christ, an active member and speaker, and an ongoing learner of the Scriptures. Passionate about his faith and serving others, he is committed to sharing his spiritual journey and insights to inspire and uplift fellow believers. He has been active in the church for more than 23 years. Through The Faithful Christian Blog , Dr. Dunn combines his love for God, philanthropy, and Scripture, providing a valuable resource for those seeking to grow in their faith. Follow me: on Youtube, Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and Pinterest .

Saturday 12th of June 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME. I'VE BEEN LIED UPON IN THE WORKPLACE. PRAY THAT SOMEONE IN THE WORKPLACE STEPS UP FOR ME ON MY BEHAVE. LET SOMEONE LET THE TRUTH BE FREE. DON'T LET A HONEST HARD WORKING EMPLYEE LOOSE THIER LIVELIHOOD. IN JESUS NAME AMEN.

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English Essay on “As you Sow, so shall you Reap” English Essay-Paragraph-Speech for Class 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 CBSE Students and competitive Examination.

As you Sow, so shall you Reap

This quotation, taken from the Bible contains a universal truth. It means that the result of anything will be in accordance with its action. Now, a farmer sows corn, he cannot expect to reap carrots! In the same way, you cannot expect to stand first in the races if you haven’t run at all during the year.

This tenet holds good in every field of life. If you are friendly, kind, cheerful and helpful, you will be liked by others and will have plenty of friends. If, on the other hand, you are unfriendly, moody, haughty, and unhelpful, you are not going to be popular. If you lead an honest and good life, it naturally follows that you will have great peace of mind. However, if you sow seeds of evil, then that is exactly what you will reap.

No effort in the right direction ever goes to waste. Sooner or later you will get your reward. So work hard, obey your elders and try to do your duty as best as you can — only then will you reap the benefits of your perseverance in the form of success and happiness.

As You Sow So Shall You Reap

In other words, you shall harvest what you plant, spiritual or natural, as God said he was not mocked, for if you sow the flesh, you shall the flesh, reap corruption, but if you sow the spirit of love for all, you shall reap life everlasting. The theory of karma is spoken about in many of the sacred texts of all religions in the world and is implied in the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The implication as you treat others, so you will be treated. What is difficult to grasp about Karma is when it is actually playing a role in your life. The survivor of abuse, who may not have ever hurt anyone in his/her life, may wonder what she/he did to deserve such treatment. Perhaps in a previous life, the same soul was the perpetrator of abuse. Then the promise of karma would be in force. On the other hand, perhaps the soul is “accepted” because it keeps the strength to survive, learn, and stop the cycle of abuse.

Sometimes a student who does not study his books may come out with flying colors through his examinations. Sometimes a person may get success without working for it. But such cases are very rare. The normal rule is that you reap good or bad fruit according to your good or bad actions. Jesus told his followers to have hope, faith, and charity,. Those who exhibit these virtues get a rich harvest of joyful feelings. A lazy person must go down in the race of life. On the other hand, one who works hard must rise in life. Really we reap the fruit of our own actions. So, we should act our part in life nobly.

Karmas is inescapable. Your actions do return to you. It may not be in this lifetime, but it certainly will return in some way. How you deal with the return of this karmic energy that must be dealt with at a later stage. If you seek to learn from the seeming injustices in your life, chances are that you will be balancing your karmic books rather than increasing your karmic debt.

It is helpful to look at karma as a sort of credit card. Each time we do something in our lives motivated by love, we are “paying off” some of the karmic debt we have built up over our many lifetimes. Each time we act in selfish interest, we are charging something else to our credit card. The goal is not to have a credit due to us because in doing so it would mean that someone, somewhere still owed some debt. The goal is to get our balance to zero. To pay off our karmic credit card and make no more charges on it. Then we will have reached our goal and there will be no need to return to this physical plane and we will once again be reunited with the Divine.

Karma is often thought about as being some debt we are repaying from a part of life. But karma can be “paid” in the same lifetime it is created. We can read in many sacred texts that what you sow is what you reap, what you give comes back to you three times over as you do so it shall be done to you. All of these are speaking of karma. Even Jesus spoke of “Karma when he said we should do unto others as we would have it done unto us since that is exactly what will happen.”

“As you sow, so shall you reap” has relevance in today’s competitive marketplace as well as in the timeless arena of human relationships. At every juncture, at all times, this theory of karmas is well respected and well observed. Rightly said, By someone, “Do good, find good.”

The Inchcape Rock

Once a sea-robber noticed a bell tied to a dangerous rock called the Inchcape Rock.

“What’s it for?” he enquired of a man who lived on the seashore.

“It’s for warning the ships,” replied the man. “It’s rung in case of danger. It has already saved many a ship from striking against the Inchcape Rock in foggy weather.”

Now the sea-robber was always bent on mischief. So an evil thought crossed his mind. He cut off the chain of the bell as soon as he got a chance. Down went the bell into the depths of the sea. Nobody replaced it.

As a result, some ships struck against the rock one after the other and were ruined. Every time the robber felt happy. One day he was travelling in those parts of the sea. Sudden foggy weather prevented him from seeing the rock. Had there been a bell, he would have received a warning. But now his ship struck against the rock and perished. He himself died a miserable death.

Moral: As you sow, so shall your reap.

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Avigail Abarbanel’s Fully Human Essays

You Reap What You Sow

“freedom is never given. it must be taken.” (ursula le guin).

(If you have received this by email, please click on the title to read the latest version on Substack. I often edit and correct stray typos after publishing the first version).

I was born, raised, and educated (or rather indoctrinated) in the state of Israel. Twenty-two years ago, a decade into my life in Australia, I began to wake up from the stupor of my indoctrination. I began to understand that the so-called ‘conflict’ with the Palestinian people was not what I thought it was.

Growing up, I was taught that all ‘Arabs’ — the word ‘Palestinians’ did not exist in Israeli vocabulary then — wanted to annihilate us. Everyone was brought up to believe that just like the Nazis, Arabs were antisemites who hated us for being Jews. We were a peace-loving, moral and ethical people who would never hurt anyone, except in self-defence. Even then, our military was guided by the principle of the ‘purity of arms’. The Israeli education system told us we were direct descendants of the Biblical people of Judaea who were forced into exile by the Romans 1 in 70AD. In 1948, we merely ‘returned’ to our ancestral home and there was nothing wrong with that. All Israelis are taught to believe the world never wanted us to live in peace and quiet in our own country, because of antisemitism.

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I gradually began to realise that this version of history was either selective, or completely fraudulent. It took me a while, but eventually I began to grasp the real meaning behind the Zionist movement and its plan. I realised we were not the ‘good guys’, but in fact really rather bad. What I thought was my identity and history turned out to be a myth that hid the dark secret of the terrible crime we committed against our fellow humans.

After twenty-seven years of incessant Israeli Zionist indoctrination, including two years of military service, I finally understood that Zionism was just another settler-colonial movement. From its inception, the Zionist movement has always intended to replace the non-Jewish indigenous people of Palestine in order to create an exclusively Jewish state. It became crystal clear that the establishment of the state of Israel and the oppression of the Palestinian people were no different from what colonialists and settler-colonialists have done throughout human history.

What is settler-colonialism?

Settler-colonialism can be legally compared to a home invasion. Forcefully entering someone’s home and taking it over is a serious crime that no one would stand for in any democratic society. Regardless of how entitled the home-invader feels, or how desperate, they would be classed as criminals. There would be no confusion about who is the perpetrator, and who is the victim of this crime. Now imagine that the original home-owner had absolutely no support from anyone. The authorities not only sided with the invader, but gave them more and more money, equipment and practical support to furnish, equip, and protect their stolen home. Imagine the authorities even accepted them as respected members of the local community. Imagine that the invader told anyone with any power to intervene that, well, take your pick:

The home owner never existed in the first place — ‘The home was empty and had no owners when I entered it’.

God previously promised me this home and the land surrounding it.

The original home-owner had a home elsewhere, and was only there temporarily, therefore has no real claim on that home.

The original home-owner did not deserve to have that home because they were neglectful and primitive, and did not take good care of the property.

The original home-owner is an inherently bad person, a potential murderer who does not deserve any support from anyone.

I have suffered my whole life. I was always abused and homeless, and everyone hated me. I deserve this home for myself. I am entitled to do whatever is necessary to get it, even if it comes at the expense of the home-owner. Everyone has to accept this, or else they are just like those who have always abused me. I am the only victim.

Over the years, the home-invader became increasingly comfortable and established in their stolen home. They taught their children and grandchildren the history of the family as they wanted them to see it. After all, they would need them to defend the home in case the children or grandchildren of the original home-owner tried to take it back. While the criminal justice system in our flawed democracies is far from perfect, we have made progress enforcing equality before the law. When a crime is committed, the focus is on the crime, not on the identities of victims or perpetrators. However, in the domain of international relations, there are worthy and unworthy victims. When it comes to Israel-Palestine, it is perfectly okay for Israeli Jews to commit a home invasion, oppress Palestinians with impunity, and cast them as the villains.

Most of the world has always colluded with Israel

From the time of the Balfour declaration in 1917, most of the world not only supported Israel, it actively aided and abetted Israeli settler-colonialism. The holocaust is not an excuse for Jewish Zionist settler-colonialism. The Zionist movement began to consider fully populated Palestine as a future ‘national home’ for the Jewish people in the late 19th Century. Back then, it was not regarded a crime by the international community. There was nothing unusual in yet another group of white people coveting the territory and resources of non-white others. Everyone was doing it. The US, Britain, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, the Dutch, the Ottoman Empire, all had colonies in resource-rich lands, often far away from their own borders. For centuries, colonisers committed genocide, enslaved and oppressed indigenous peoples, and stole their land and resources. They used the proceeds to profit the ruling classes in their own societies. The West deemed itself morally, racially, and religiously superior to indigenous people. Zionism is only the latest manifestation of the same thing.

Historically, colonisers have tried to kill off as many of the indigenous people as possible to limit resistance, and facilitate smooth colonial economic development. By the time the new Zionist settler-colonial project came into being, the world was becoming slightly less tolerant of genocide. The founders of the state of Israel and their military force, the predecessor of the Israeli military, could not kill enough Palestinians in 1947-1948 in full view of the world. They did, however, commit massacres, and gang rapes, and ethnically cleansed 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and land, dispersing them across the Middle East.

Opinion | Palestinian Refugees Deserve to Return Home. Jews Should ...

In 1949, UN General Assembly Resolution 194 required Israel to allow Palestinian refugees to return home. But Israel had no intention of complying, and the world placed no pressure on Israel to abide by the Resolution. Israel was shamed into granting Israeli citizenship to the Palestinians who dared to stay behind. The Palestinian citizens of Israel, about 20% of the Israeli population, have always been second class citizens . Jewish Israel has seen them as a fifth column, and has always kept them under close surveillance. (Recently there have been growing calls by members of the Israeli Government to strip the Palestinien Israeli citizens off their citizenship).

The Palestinian refugees in the Gaza strip, and the Occupied West Bank have always reminded Israel that it has not ‘finished the job’. For seventy-five years Israel has been biding its time. It has waited for an opportunity to complete the project that Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minster, did not, to take all the land but without the people. Israel has exploited Christian guilt over the West’s antisemitism and the holocaust, as well as Western geopolitical interests to amass wealth, military might and political influence. All the while, the world has turned a blind eye to what Dr Ilan Pappé called ‘an incremental genocide’. If you cannot expel and murder masses of people in one fell swoop, you can try to drive them out, and break resistance by other, slower means. The establishment and expansion of the ‘settlements’ are one example of the single-minded, deliberate and systematic continuation of the Zionist settler-colonial program.

Israel never took the so-called ‘two-state solution’ seriously. Its signing of the Oslo Accords was a ruse to stall, and draw the world off the scent of Israel’s real intentions. The Palestinians have never had any illusions about this.

What does the Israeli media say on the second day of the invasion (Sunday, 8th October 2023)?

I am following the Israeli media in Hebrew. I hear what the non-Hebrew speaking world does not hear. Israel is in disarray. It is confused and disorganised. Its Government is populated with useless, incompetent, self-serving narcissists. They are busy flinging accusations at each other and at the military, which, incredibly, they seem to be excluding from their meetings. Fifty years ago, in 1973, Israel was caught by a surprise attack on two fronts because Golda Meir’s Government did not listen to its intelligence services. This time, there was no intelligence at all. Palestinian fighters were able to breach the Gaza fence and infiltrate Israel, after jamming the surveillance and radar equipment that the Israeli military relied on. Israel had no idea. Israeli media admit that Israel had underestimated Hamas, but because Israel is so racist against Palestinians, it gives all the credit to Iran.

Hamas fighters have been infiltrating Israel, and the last I heard, they have taken at least a hundred hostages into Gaza. Fighting continues in a number of locations, and at the time of writing, the military does not have it ‘exactly under control’. The Israeli military has announced that they expect this ‘war’ to go on for weeks, possibly longer.

The Israeli media exemplify and amplify Israeli hypocrisy, and as always the language is rife with euphemisms. They refer to Palestinian fighters as ‘terrorists’ ( méchablim ), and to the Israelis victims as ‘murdered’. When Palestinians are killed, they are ‘eliminated.’ The large writing at the front of the set reads, ‘Israel at War’. A war is between countries, not between an occupier and occupied.

Israel has always been scathing about the victims of the holocaust, accusing them of ‘going like sheep to the slaughter’. I was brought up to see the Jewish victims as guilty of their own destruction, and to believe that resistance to oppression was a virtue worthy of admiration and imitation. When Palestine was still a British colony, the British called the members of the Jewish underground ‘terrorists’. We were brought up to see them as great heroes, and worship Jewish resistance to oppression and colonialism going all the way back to Biblical times. But Israel’s media portrays Palestinian resistance to Israel’s brutal setter-colonialism, and slow genocide as ‘terrorism’, and as a ‘crime against humanity’. The hypocrisy is eye-watering. As I watch and listen, I wonder if these media people even hear themselves talk.

Perpetrators of oppression at all levels, including domestic abuse, are notorious for projecting on their victims. Projection is a form of psychological defence. The ‘shadow’ as Carl Jung called it, contains all the things (negative and positive) that we keep hidden from ourselves, consciously or unconsciously. In Owning Your Own Shadow , Robert Johnson says,

Unless we do conscious work on it, the shadow is almost always projected; that is, it is neatly laid on someone or something else so we do not have to take responsibility for it. (p.27)

The settler-colonial state of Israel, the perpetrator of a seventy-five year long crime against humanity, portrays itself as the victim, and accuses the Palestinians of being the perpetrators. Now that the Palestinians are finally fighting back, Israel can wag its finger at the world, and say, ‘Aha! You see? We told you they were bad’ .

Does Israel seriously suggest that the Palestinians should just wait to be led like ‘sheep to the slaughter’? The answer, of course, is ‘yes’! This is precisely what Isreal wants, and what its media reflect. They want the Palestinians to die, to disappear quietly into the night, until everyone has forgotten about them, and Israel can live happily ever after in its exclusively Jewish home.

How is it possible for Israel to be caught by surprise?

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, when I was growing up, Israeli soldiers were prepared to rough it, and to sacrifice their lives for their country. But Israel has grown accustomed to self-indulgence and complacency and it has been overrun by neoliberalism, imported unchecked from the US. Israeli society is arrogant, self-absorbed, and over-confident, qualities that have been well nurtured and indulged by the US, Israel’s greatest collaborator. Israel has become over-reliant on modern technology, and its citizens and military have grown soft. It has forgotten what a bunch of determined and desperate people are prepared to do, when they fight for their very existence. Israel has underestimated the Palestinian people, and the extent of the desperation it has created after decades of oppression, injustice and a slow-moving genocide. The Palestinians know Israel well. They have had decades to study Israel’s military philosophy, and its weaknesses. Israel cannot ‘flatten’ Gaza as some in Israel are calling for. Hamas has kidnapped at least one-hundred Israeli Jews and brought them into Gaza as hostages. If Israel ‘flattens’ Gaza, it will kill its own people.

Israeli society is more fractured than ever, and the toxicity in its society is orders of magnitude worse compared to what it was when I left in 1991. What remained of the old cohesiveness and patriotism of the early days of the state has collapsed into a selfish, dog-eat-dog neoliberalist society. It is so bad, that nothing, not even a war, can unite Israeli citizens in the same way that military conflicts used to do in my time. The Palestinians know they do not need to take on all of Israel. They only need to widen the existing fissures in Israeli society. If Israel falls, it would be because of internal collapse, not because of military defeat. It seems to me that the Palestinians’ justified, and long overdue rebellion intentionally presses on Israel’s weak spots.

Israel loves its airforce, and worships its pilots as heroes. But Israel cannot use its famed airforce on Israeli territory. Israel is densely populated. You cannot bomb Israel from the air, and hope to pick out a few infiltrators. You cannot police every street, and every building. The Israeli military is used to large scale wars at its borders, but is not equipped for guerrilla war in its own streets.

There is no difference in physical appearance between Jewish Israelis and Palestinians. When the Israeli media reported on the dead bodies in the town of Sderot, (one of the first colonies near the Gaza border to be invaded by Hamas fighters), they said you could not tell which bodies were Israeli citizens, and which were Palestinian.

I was inside our rented flat in February 1991, when a scud missile from Northern Iraq fell about five meters (~5 yards) from the front of our building in Ramat-Gan, near the centre of Tel Aviv. It was a primitive missile, but it caused a huge amount of damage to our street and our building. I was spared, but was left with trauma that lasted a few years, and was triggered every time I heard fireworks. To my ears, fireworks sounded just like the Patriot missiles that failed to intercept that missile, and the horrendous sound of the scud as it hit the road in front of our building.

That one missile caused enormous damage to property, but there was no war in our streets, no shooting, no further explosions, fighting, or violence. The paratrooper unit that was deployed to our neighbourhood for a couple of weeks, was sent there to prevent looting, not to fight anyone. (Yes, Israeli Jews tried to loot damaged shops and flats). The war came to our streets briefly but was otherwise far away.

Since then, it was easy for me to empathise with Palestinians in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank. Heavy and indiscriminate Israeli military violence has been in their streets, power and water plants, buildings, homes, hospitals, schools, and in the air. Israelis are used to bombing and damaging Palestinian civilian centres and Palestinian civilians. But they are not used to war in their own cities. This is unthinkable to them and shocking. Neither the Jewish Israeli public, nor the Israeli military are equipped for citizens to be at the centre of fighting, and Hamas knows it.

Hamas is inflicting on Israel exactly what Israel has been inflicting on the Palestinian population for decades. ‘An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind’, but what do you expect? Why should victims be more noble, or have more restraint than perpetrators, especially when they have absolutely no support from anyone?

How am I feeling?

I am heartbroken. I was always hoping against hope that Israel would grow a brain, listen to its own wise prophets, and give up its abusive and criminal settler-colonialist program. But Israeli culture is a product of traumatised, and narcissistic psychology. Instead of doing everything to recover from it, and refrain from passing it on to others, it has glorified it. Living with trauma is unsustainable and when you do nothing about it, it inevitably leads to crisis. Israel’s existence was always unsustainable. You cannot be well in a home you stole. You can never be free of the guilt no matter how deeply you tucked it into your shadow. Primitive, blinkered, survivalist psychology is bound to tear you apart. I left Israel long before I understood what I do now. As a young political science student, I recognised that Israel could only offer me and all of its people a life by the sword. Tragically, I have been proven right. I am heartbroken for all the victims of Jewish Israeli settler-colonialism on both sides. I am heartbroken for the children, who from this day on will be forced to live with trauma. I am heartbroken for the Palestinians who have to sacrifice their lives because no one cares about them. They would rather die fighting for freedom than walk like sheep to the slaughter. Who better than Israel to understand this? If only Israel could see beyond its projections, trauma, and narcissism. I have no sympathy for the state of Israel, and its setter-colonial project. If you oppress people too much, if you push them to the wall, you give them no option but to fight back. The Palestinian fight for liberation is ugly, because settler-colonialism is ugly. There are no good choices when you are caught up in an abusive system, where someone else holds all the power and can do to you whatever they wish. Without outside help, the only choices are to risk everything and fight, or suffer and die slowly.

As a character in an Ursula Le Guin novella says, ‘Freedom is never given. It must be taken’ .

The Romans never exiled entire populations. They kept the conquered in their place to pay taxes to Rome, and exiled or enslaved leaders, and potential ‘trouble makers’. According to the Israeli historian Shlomo Sand , the historians of the Zionist movement and the early state of Israel deliberately fabricated the historical narrative to create a coherent, if fictitious, identity for the new state of Israel. I grew up not on history, but on mythology.

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Meaning of reap what you sow in English

Reap what you sow.

all's fair in love and war idiom
anti-discrimination
anti-egalitarian
anti-nepotism
due process
egalitarian
egalitarianism
get your just deserts idiom
it's a fair cop idiom
sportsmanlike
sportsmanship
without fear or favour idiom

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COMMENTS

Personal Narrative Essay: You Reap What You Sow?
Show More. "You reap what you sow" is what my parents use to always tell me. Meaning there is always a consequence to your actions. I never really listened thinking they don't have a clue about what they are talking about. I let everything go to one ear and out the other ear. I thought just because I am in college that I knew everything.
A Story Illustrating the saying: You reap what you sow
Narrate to your classmates an experience you have had or heard about which illustrates the saying: "You reap what you sow". THE WICKED STEP-MOTHER. Once upon a time, there lived a man called Alhaji Ajase who had two wives named Alhaja Kudi and Alhaja Khadijat. Kudi, the first wife had only a son ten years after their wedding.
The Powerful Meaning of "You Reap What You Sow" in the Bible
The Powerful Biblical Meaning of 'Reap What You Sow'. The apostle Paul is the author of this quote in Galatians 6:7: "a man reaps what he sows". The biblical principle of sowing and reaping is not Karma. Let's take a deeper look at the meaning of this Bible verse and how we are to strive to sow good works and reap the benefits of heaven.
As You Sow, So Shall You Reap Essay For Students In English
As You Sow, So Shall You Reap Essay. "As you sow, so shall you reap" is a known proverb to everyone. This proverb has great significance in our life. It means as the action is, so is the result. Actions decide the consequences. The word sow means to plant a seed, and reaping means enjoying the crop when the seed has grown.
You Reap What You Sow Essay
You Reap What You Sow Essay. 1075 Words5 Pages. Without any doubt the universal law of compensation has been very much misunderstood by people. They especially consider it as the subtext of the usual modern phrases like "karma is a b****". I want you to be open minded while you read this post by putting aside the negativity that your mind may ...
Reap What You Sow (Meaning, Origin, Examples)
Similarly, the definition of 'reap what you sow' or 'you reap what you sow' is that you will face the consequences of your actions. What you are going through now is a result of a thing you have done in the past. And what you do now will bring you the expected results in the future. For example, look at the sentence, 'If you do not ...
You Reap What You Sow Meaning & Origin
To reap is "to gather a crop" and to sow, "to plant seeds."Throughout versions of the Bible, sowing is used as a metaphor for one's actions and reaping for the results of those actions. In the Hebrew Bible's Book of Hosea, God finds the Israelites worshipping an idol of a calf and, in the 1611 King James Version, says, "They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind."
How to Write a Narrative Essay
Interactive example of a narrative essay. An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt "Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself," is shown below. Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works. Narrative essay example.
The Biblical Meaning of "You Reap What You Sow"
To reap is "to gather a crop" and to sow, "to plant seeds.". Throughout scripture, sowing is used as a metaphor for one's actions and reaping for the results of such actions. The biblical meaning of this phrase comes from a passage in Galatians: "Don't be misled — you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what ...
You Reap What You Sow
To reap what one sows is an idiomatic expression that means to pay for one's actions. It comes from the biblical belief that when someone is faithful, they will reap eternal life. Practice incorporating idioms like you reap what you sow in your speech and writing so you can creatively express yourself. Idioms are expressions that bring color ...
You Reap What You Sow, Short Story
You Reap What You Sow Shaylea Strinati-kerr, Grade 8 Short Story 2012 One Day this charity worker called Mitchel went to the richest man in the valley called Dominic's house and knocked on the door. He knocked and knocked. Finally, just when Mitchel was about to give up, the heavy door opened and a man walked out and looked down on the ...
Reap What You Sow Meaning with Useful Example Sentences
The popular idiom "you reap what you sow" means that the consequences of your actions will eventually catch up to you and you will have no choice but to accept them. Origin of this idiomatic expression. The origin of this idiom dates back to the Bible in Galatians, chapter 6, verse 7, This passage was derived into the shortened phrase that ...
A Complete Narrative Essay Guide
Purpose: Reach the peak of the story, the moment of highest tension or significance. Elements: Turning Point: Highlight the most crucial moment or realization in the narrative. Example: "As the sun dipped below the horizon and hope seemed lost, a distant sound caught our attention—the rescue team's helicopters.".
You Reap What You Sow Meaning: Learn the ...
'You reap what you sow' is a more general concept that suggests that your actions will shape your future in this life. What is the meaning of the phrase 'reap what you sow' in the Bible? In the Bible, the phrase 'reap what you sow' is used as a metaphor for one's actions and the results of those actions. It suggests that if you ...
You Reap What You Sow: Meaning and 30+ Bible Verses
The principle, "you reap what you sow," is an enduring truth with profound implications. Consider 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. It reveals that abundant giving leads to abundant returns. Take the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16) as an example. Amid a dire famine, she chose to give her last meal to Prophet Elijah.
English Essay on "As you Sow, so shall you Reap" English Essay
We can read in many sacred texts that what you sow is what you reap, what you give comes back to you three times over as you do so it shall be done to you. All of these are speaking of karma. Even Jesus spoke of "Karma when he said we should do unto others as we would have it done unto us since that is exactly what will happen."
Reap What You Sow
What might it mean to reap what history has sown? Now, read Diane Seuss ' backyard song, which describes the poet's decision to abandon the front she used to "put up like a yard/ gussied and groomed," and just be herself. What kinds of "fronts" do you put up? What would it be like to let the garden of yourself grow wild?
You Reap What You Sow
The settler-colonial state of Israel, the perpetrator of a seventy-five year long crime against humanity, portrays itself as the victim, and accuses the Palestinians of being the perpetrators. Now that the Palestinians are finally fighting back, Israel can wag its finger at the world, and say, 'Aha!
REAP WHAT YOU SOW definition
REAP WHAT YOU SOW meaning: 1. to experience the result, often a bad one, of something that you did in the past: 2. to…. Learn more.
Moral Story: "As You Sow, So Shall You Reap"
The moral of the story is that our actions have consequences, just like the seeds we sow. If we sow kindness, we will reap kindness. If we sow laziness, we will reap mediocrity. It's a lesson that applies not only to farming but to life itself. And so, the village prospered, and the wisdom of "As you sow, so shall you reap" echoed through ...
Personal Narrative Essay: You Reap What You Sow?
"You reap what you sow" is what me parents use to always tell own. Meaning there is always adenine importance to your actions. ... Personalize Narrative Essay. On May 12, 2018 the roughly 0224 period, I observed a Blue 2007 panel bearing Florida dog 4459GC leaving that Grand BLV Motel, localized in 7804 Grand BLV Port Richey, FL.
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
REAP WHAT YOU SOW definition: 1. to experience the result, often a bad one, of something that you did in the past: 2. to…. Learn more.
As You Sow, so Shall You Reap Free Essay Example
26800. As the saying goes, "As you sow, so shall you reap," we will be rewarded or punished according to the good or bad deeds that we do. We all know that we cannot escape from the law of nature. Sowing and reaping, are part and parcel of the law of nature. If we sow good seeds in our lives , we will get good results.

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The Powerful Biblical Meaning of 'Reap What You Sow'

"A Man Reaps What He Sows" Biblical Context

Reap What You Sow Warnings

Is Sowing and Reaping Like Karma?

Principles for Sowing to the Spirit

Choosing Good Seed to Sow

Expect Toil As You Sow

Avoid Fainting

God’s Grace in the Believer’s Sowing and Reaping

As You Sow, So Shall You Reap Essay

500+ Words As You Sow, So Shall You Reap Essay

Short Story on As You Sow, So Shall You Reap Proverb

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Reap What You Sow (Meaning, Origin, Examples)

What does reap what you sow mean?

Is it “reap what you sow” or “you reap what you sow?”

Simplifying the idiom

“Reap what you sow” origin

Bible relationship to “reap what you sow”

Is “reap what you sow” a negative idiom?

Examples of “reap what you sow” in a sentence

You will also see how it can be used both positively and negatively:

Common questions

What is the biblical meaning of “reap what you sow?”

Does it mean to watch our actions?

Core lessons

Popular lessons

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Slang dictionary

What does you reap what you sow mean?

Where does you reap what you sow come from?

Examples of you reap what you sow

Other categories

What Is the Meaning of 'You Reap What You Sow'?

'Reap What You Sow' Meaning

Context of Reap What You Sow in Galatians 6:7

What Does the Bible Say about Reaping What You Sow?

Do We Really Reap What We Sow?

You Reap What You Sow

The Ultimate Narrative Essay Guide for Beginners

Everything You Need to Know About Narrative Essay

Elements of a Narrative Essay

Conflict or Challenge

Theme or Message

Emotional Impact

The Purpose of a Narrative Essay

Sharing Personal Experience

Entertainment and Engagement

Conveying a Message or Insight

Building Empathy and Understanding

Inspiration and Motivation

Reflecting on Life’s Significance

Demonstrating Writing Skills

Preserving Personal History

Cultural and Societal Exploration

Format of a Narrative Essay

Introduction

Thesis Statement or Narrative Purpose

Body Paragraphs

Different Types of Narrative Essays

Personal Narrative

Descriptive Narrative

Autobiographical Narrative

Experiential Narrative

Literary Narrative

Historical Narrative

Digital or Multimedia Narrative

How to Choose a Topic for Your Narrative Essay?

Reflect on Personal Experiences

Explore Unique Perspectives

Focus on Specific Themes or Concepts

Consider Your Audience and Purpose

Brainstorm and Evaluate Ideas

Narrative Essay Topics

Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

Narrative Essay Comparison

Narrative Essay vs. Argumentative Essay

Narrative Essay vs. Personal Essay