In Galatians 5, the Apostle Paul told us the kind of fruit the Holy Spirit produces. Then, he emphasized in Chapter 6 that in our lives, we will harvest what we plant.
Some brothers and sisters, though, will plant things in their lives that produce a harvest of sin. Therefore, the apostle began this chapter by instructing us to help them.
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Galatians 6:1
In that verse, Paul gave a specific “how to” and a “be careful of.” Let me say this one thing before we start.
I’m not writing this to criticize anyone’s belief or doctrine. So, let’s glance back to see what the apostle said in this verse.
If someone is overcome by sin, they are heading down the wrong path. Overcome by sin means not living for the Lord. On the wrong path means walking away from Him.
Humbly and Gently Give Help
Why would Paul need to tell people from the church to humbly and gently help someone? Because Christians can become nasty and finger-pointing when a person gets caught up in sin.
Keep in mind that very few people wake up one day and say, “I’m not going to follow the Lord anymore.” No! Temptations entice people into doing sinful things that they enjoy.
When they first yield to temptation, they feel bad, ask forgiveness, and promise to refrain from doing it again. The second time, they still feel bad, but they do it anyway because they enjoy it.
Then, the more they do it, the easier it becomes. While the person knows these sinful actions go against God’s Word, they continually do them. Look at what James says about temptation.
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:14-15
So, Paul says we should gently and humbly help a person back on track. Mainly because they have already fought spiritual battles within themselves, and they need loving encouragement.
Be Careful
The second part of our verse warns us to use caution while ministering to the one overcome by sin. The apostle based this warning around our attitudes more than anything else’s.
While some people feel they are helping the person get back on the right track, they, instead, become sympathizers. They help the person justify their sinful actions.
Sadly, these shallow helpers could find themselves dangerously caught up in the same temptation or one of their own. The goal is to obey the law of Christ.
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Galatians 6:2-3
To plant God’s Word in our lives and actions means what we harvest to honor Christ. And while fulfilling the Lord’s desires, we’ll stay focused on what He wants us to do.
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Galatians 6:4
One of two things happens when we compare ourselves with other people. If we think we did better than someone else, pride overtakes us.
Feeling we didn’t do as well as others fuels self-condemnation. Satisfaction comes from doing the job God has called you to do. Remember, you will never pull the wool over God’s eyes.
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Galatians 6:7
You Will Always Harvest What You Plant
Let’s keep in mind Paul’s initial conversation dealt with helping a fallen saint. But because he said, “You will always harvest what you plant,” it quickly turned towards us.
In other words, keep yourself spiritually healthy so you can help others overcome by sin. In verse eight, Paul compares living to satisfy our sinful nature with living to please God’s Spirit.
- 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 6:8
So, which path would you rather travel? The devil makes the sins that entice us look very tempting. But then, he has an effective tool he created back in the Garden of Eden.
What tool did he create? When he convinced Adam and Eve to disobey God, our sinful nature began. Every person has their own. Therefore, we are each in charge of our own destiny.
Don’t Tire of Doing Good
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9
The world we live in will stir us to do its definition of good. But we must do what God considers good. Since it often goes contrary to the world’s good, don’t get weary in doing it.
So, plant God’s Word in your life and harvest the good works God wants from you. Gently help those overcome with sin back to the right path and stay clear of temptation.
Do good things that please the Lord, and thank Him that you can harvest what you plant. And finally, take the opportunities that God gives you.
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:10
Lord, help us to plant things in our lives that will bring a bountiful harvest for your kingdom. Thank you for opening doors of opportunity to serve you and do your good.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Christian Perspectives
Featured Image by Holger Schué from Pixabay
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