When I was in middle school, I had a little bit of a potty
mouth (ok a pretty terrible mouth actually). I went to church and listen to
Bible stories and lessons, but I didn't live it out. I would invite my friends
to youth group and the different activities but they never came and I never
knew why.
One day this kid from my neighborhood, who was literally the
worst person I knew, told me I cursed too much. Until that moment I don't think
I ever realized that there were bad consequences to the way I talked. I mean, I
knew if my mom heard me I'd be in big trouble, but I never thought that it made
a difference otherwise. God used that to change the way I talk.
A few years ago, a friend was upset and telling me what she
was mad about while cursing a mile a minute. At one point, she stopped, looked
at me funny, and said, "you don't curse," then continued venting
without cursing. I never told this person that I don't curse, she just noticed
it over the years we have known each other.
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things
with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever
one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will
from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from
the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in
due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of
faith. (Galatians 6:6-10 ESV)
In this passage, Paul is talking about how good choices have
good consequences and bad choices have bad consequences, right? He uses a
farming analogy to explain though. If we sow (or plant) our flesh (which refers
to our sinful, worldly desires), we will reap (or grow or harvest) corruption.
If we sow the Spirit, we will reap eternal life.
Seems like an obvious choice – I want eternal life, not
corruption.
In youth group, Jeff mentioned Liam being frustrated that bad
decisions get him bad consequences but he wondered when he's ever going to get
good consequences for his good decisions. Do you ever feel that way? I know I
do at times. That's why Paul that encourages us not to give up and to continue
doing good. He knows it won't always be easy; that doing what is right can be
quite difficult. But, eventually there will be good consequences!
Answer This:
1) I have seen bad consequences for my bad language and good
consequences from my clean language. Is there an area you reap what you've sown
– good or bad?
2) Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one
_______________, that will he also _______________.
3) Can you relate to Liam? Do you ever feel like there are
only bad consequences not good consequences?
4) Take a minute to journal about this passage.
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Written by Amber Carter
In middle school, I was known for many things but the one that really stuck out to me was that I talked to the new people. I liked having the new person feel welcome. But also in middle school I was known for something else, the one who lashed out. My response to been bullied was to lash out at others physically. Guys knew I'd fight back because I did it so often. Someone told me that some people were scared of me because of my actions. Now I seldom lash out at people because of the bad crop I was spreading.
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