a narrative essay on you reap what you sow

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

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.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/lovelyday12

"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 ).

Photo credit: Unsplash/kiwihug

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.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Mantinov

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.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Markus Spiske

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 ).

Photo credit: Unsplash/Joshua Lanzarini

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.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/eggeeggjiew

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.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

• Share Share

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

Counselling

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 Passages for Struggling Married Couples

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.

No Rest for the Wicked Fight the Good Fight Wait on the Lord With Contrite Heart and Spirit Faith Can Move Mountains

5 Simple Ways to Find and Focus on God Daily

7 Differences Between Knowing About Jesus and Having a Personal Relationship with Him

Is Masturbation a Sin?

Morning Prayers to Start Your Day with God

The Best Birthday Prayers to Celebrate Friends and Family 

35 Prayers for Healing the Sick and Hurting

5 Things Christians Believe about Hell That Aren’t True

The most important thing of all is what will happen to us beyond the grave. But if we wait until then to decide, it will be too late.

Bible Baseball

Play now...

Saintly Millionaire

Bible Jeopardy

Bible Trivia By Category

Bible Trivia Challenge

At LanguageHumanities, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What does "You Reap what You Sow" Mean?

“You reap what you sow” means that there is an effect for everything people do or say, and that the effort a person puts into something will be rewarded appropriately in this life or the next. People use this phrase as a reminder to be kind and work hard. Although the phrase might have roots in early Christianity, it appears in some form in other religions and also can be applied in non-religious situations. Seeing bad people succeed sometimes makes people who follow this general doctrine have emotional, social or spiritual crises, so societies usually try to provide some sort of explanation as to why good people don’t always prosper.

Main Principle

The general idea behind "you reap what you sow" is that actions will have consequences. The effects of a person’s behaviors are not necessarily apparent right away, such as when a farmer has to wait a while for a crop to mature. Nevertheless, they show up eventually.

Application and Purpose

People usually apply the reaping concept as a means of directing general living and working. The purpose is to encourage positive behavior and discourage negative activity, or to get a specific result. In this way, it serves as a means to move a person toward the thoughts and actions that are culturally accepted as being constructive, ethical and moral.

The idea behind “you reap what you sow” is ancient and therefore has origins that are difficult to track, but one possible starting point is with early Christians. The phrase appears as “whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall also reap” in the King James Version of the New Testament. Specifically, the quote is found in Galatians 6:7-9, a book made up of letters written by Paul, a disciple of Christ. Galatia was a region located in what is now Turkey. Paul’s letters addressed Christian communities in Galatia, providing advice on how to live for God.

Given the context of Paul’s letters, one explanation for why he said this phrase to the Galatians was because he wanted them to “sow” kindness and goodness. He wanted to teach them that God would reward them for doing the right thing and punish them for sins, if not in their mortal lives, in their eternal ones. He emphasizes this point by preceding the statement with “God is not mocked,” meaning that even though evil exists on Earth, ultimately, no one can hide from God, who distributes righteous, victorious judgment in the end.

One reason Paul used a farming metaphor in his letters was that, at the time, most societies were heavily dependent on agriculture. Most members of a community were familiar with basic farming processes and schedules, and they had learned from experience what to expect from specific agricultural activities. Communicating metaphorically made it easier for the Galatians to understand and accept what Paul was saying, just as stories had made it easier for Paul and the other disciples to understand and accept the messages of Jesus. Today, even though many societies are more industrialized, the majority of people still grasp farming principles and can apply the concept just as early groups did.

Presence in Non-Christian Areas

The idea of behavior having repercussions is not unique to Christianity. In Hinduism, for example, karma intrinsically is linked to the concept of getting back what one puts forward. Reincarnation gives people an opportunity to continue to improve on their spiritual life, and any action in this life can have repercussions in the next. A related quote occurs in the Kenneth Branagh film, Dead Again , where a character refers to reincarnation as the karmic credit plan: “Buy now, pay forever.”

The fact that the concept works under so many different contexts means that it is applied even in situations that do not have any religious connotations at all. An employee, for example, might work hard at his job because he believes that his boss will reward his efforts with praise, a pay increase or other benefit. Similarly, a geneticist can see that a specific DNA pattern yields predictable traits such as eye color, thereby leading him to arrange gene sequences together in a distinct order to get a desired genetic result.

Spiritual, Social and Emotional Conflict

Some people appear to sow discord, dishonesty or other unenviable things and never pay for it. Others who see this can experience spiritual, emotional and social crises, wondering how it is that bad people profit while good people suffer. If these crises are not addressed, they might cause a person to stop putting forth as much effort, or to cease engaging in good behaviors. Societies therefore try to provide answers about why bad people can prosper.

An answer individuals commonly give to resolve these crises is that life is simply not fair. This is often connected to the concept that nothing is perfect. Another response that is more religiously based is that God (or another higher power) is waiting to punish the bad people in His own time, and that God can use even negative things for His glory. Those who focus on this answer often cite Biblical verses such as Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

The Butterfly Effect

Some people push the idea of “you reap what you sow” one step further, emphasizing the “ butterfly effect .” This term refers to the fact that the simple act of a butterfly moving its wings can have an enormous effect on the world by serving as a catalyst for other changes or events. Under this lens, people should be extra careful of what they say and do, because it’s not always clear how large the ramifications of their speech or behaviors are.

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent LanguageHumanities contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

AS FEATURED ON:

Related Articles

• What is Business Ethics?
• What Are the Connections between Film and Theology?
• What is Biblical Law?
• What is a Double-Edged Sword?
• What is the "It Factor"?

Discussion Comments

Post your comments.

• By: vladischern The idea of reaping what you sow is found in the New Testament.
• By: iceteastock Doing someone a favor may be a way to make up for past transgressions.
• By: yanlev Someone experiencing a crisis might turn to a higher power to help them reap a positive resolution.
• By: Alina Isakovich Some people believe helping out a stranger in need will benefit themselves later.

Slang dictionary

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.

• By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy policies.
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Other categories

• Famous People
• Fictional Characters
• Gender & Sexuality
• Historical & Current Events
• Pop Culture
• Tech & Science
• Translations

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

Inside this article

Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

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.

Core lessons

• Abstract Noun
• Accusative Case
• Active Sentence
• Alliteration
• Adjective Clause
• Adjective Phrase
• Adverbial Clause
• Appositive Phrase
• Body Paragraph
• Compound Adjective
• Complex Sentence
• Compound Words
• Compound Predicate
• Common Noun
• Comparative Adjective
• Comparative and Superlative
• Compound Noun
• Compound Subject
• Compound Sentence
• Copular Verb
• Collective Noun
• Colloquialism
• Conciseness
• Conditional
• Concrete Noun
• Conjunction
• Conjugation
• Conditional Sentence
• Comma Splice
• Correlative Conjunction
• Coordinating Conjunction
• Coordinate Adjective
• Cumulative Adjective
• Dative Case
• Declarative Statement
• Direct Object Pronoun
• Direct Object
• Dangling Modifier
• Demonstrative Pronoun
• Demonstrative Adjective
• Direct Characterization
• Definite Article
• Doublespeak
• Equivocation Fallacy
• Future Perfect Progressive
• Future Simple
• Future Perfect Continuous
• Future Perfect
• First Conditional
• Gerund Phrase
• Genitive Case
• Helping Verb
• Irregular Adjective
• Irregular Verb
• Imperative Sentence
• Indefinite Article
• Intransitive Verb
• Introductory Phrase
• Indefinite Pronoun
• Indirect Characterization
• Interrogative Sentence
• Intensive Pronoun
• Inanimate Object
• Indefinite Tense
• Infinitive Phrase
• Interjection
• Intensifier
• Indicative Mood
• Juxtaposition
• Linking Verb
• Misplaced Modifier
• Nominative Case
• Noun Adjective
• Object Pronoun
• Object Complement
• Order of Adjectives
• Parallelism
• Prepositional Phrase
• Past Simple Tense
• Past Continuous Tense
• Past Perfect Tense
• Past Progressive Tense
• Present Simple Tense
• Present Perfect Tense
• Personal Pronoun
• Personification
• Persuasive Writing
• Parallel Structure
• Phrasal Verb
• Predicate Adjective
• Predicate Nominative
• Phonetic Language
• Plural Noun
• Punctuation
• Punctuation Marks
• Preposition
• Preposition of Place
• Parts of Speech
• Possessive Adjective
• Possessive Determiner
• Possessive Case
• Possessive Noun
• Proper Adjective
• Proper Noun
• Present Participle
• Quotation Marks
• Relative Pronoun
• Reflexive Pronoun
• Reciprocal Pronoun
• Subordinating Conjunction
• Simple Future Tense
• Stative Verb
• Subjunctive
• Subject Complement
• Subject of a Sentence
• Sentence Variety
• Second Conditional
• Superlative Adjective
• Slash Symbol
• Topic Sentence
• Types of Nouns
• Types of Sentences
• Uncountable Noun
• Vowels and Consonants

Popular lessons

Stay awhile. Your weekly dose of grammar and English fun.

The world's best online resource for learning English. Understand words, phrases, slang terms, and all other variations of the English language.

• Abbreviations
• Editorial Policy

You Reap What You Sow

Quick links : Meaning | Origin | Spread & Usage

What does You Reap What You Sow mean?

You Reap What You Sow refers to the same universal concept as “karma”.

It means that whatever you put into the world, be it kindness, love, excitement, sadness, evil, negativity – it will come back to you.

The concept can be understood both in a spiritual sense, that your positive/negative energy will come back to you someday, or simply just in a logical sense:

If you are being a dick to everyone around you, they will be a dick to you too.

You tell someone “you reap what you sow” when something completely expected happens based on their previous actions.

What's the origin of You Reap What You Sow ?

“You reap what you sow” is a metaphor that has been so much used it became a proverb.

“To reap” means to gather your crops, while to sow equals to plant them.

Hence, naturally, what you produce is what you get.

A similar quote was mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, when the Israelites started worshipping a gold calf. God responds by saying: “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind.”

Then he punished them.

Spread & Usage

How did You Reap What You Sow spread?

The quote has repeatedly been mentioned in various shapes in religious texts, particularly biblical writings.

We see it several times in King James Bible from 1611, and also in the New Testament.

In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. finished his famous speech by using the proverb.

The alternative rock band Rage against the Machine included the proverb in their lyrics for the track “Wake Up”.

The term may also be used in everyday speech, for example if your rude and lazy coworker finally got fired.

External resources

• Bible Hub – Hosea 8:7
• The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute – Our God is Marching On!

More interesting stuff

DigitalCultures » Slang » You Reap What You Sow

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.

Thanks for reading Fully Human Essays! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

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.

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.

A comment on paid subscriptions : Substack encourages writers to create paid subscriptions. They take a small cut to enable them to provide this otherwise free-to-use platform. A few readers have pledged money for monthly or yearly subscriptions, to which I am grateful. But for now I am holding back on monetising my Substack channel.

Instead, below you will see a ‘ buy me a coffee ’ button. If you haven’t seen it before, it is a way of offering a small donation to freelance writers, and others who provide similar services that are not paid work. It is entirely voluntary. Payments are processed securely on the ‘ Buy Me A Coffee ’ site, using Stripe, and I believe people can keep donations anonymous if they wish. Thank you for reading my work!

Buy me a coffee 🙏🏼

Ready for more?

Moral Story: “As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”

Once upon a time, in a peaceful village, there lived a kind-hearted farmer named John. He was known for his wisdom and always believed in the saying, “As you sow, so shall you reap.”

John owned a small but fertile piece of land where he grew different kinds of crops. He took great care of his farm, sowing seeds diligently and tending to the plants with love and attention.

One day, as John was working in his fields, he noticed his neighbor, Tom, being careless with his own farm. Tom was in a hurry and didn’t take the time to plant the seeds properly. He barely watered the soil, and he didn’t bother to remove the weeds.

John watched this with a heavy heart, knowing that Tom’s neglect would surely result in a poor harvest. But he didn’t say anything, for he believed that everyone had the right to learn their own lessons.

Months passed, and the time came for the harvest. John’s fields were bursting with healthy, ripe crops. The golden wheat swayed in the breeze, and the juicy tomatoes glistened in the sun. It was a sight to behold.

Tom, on the other hand, was disappointed when he saw his meager harvest. His plants were weak and sickly, barely producing anything worth taking to market.

You May Like: Moral Story: “A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss”

One day, Tom went to John, looking sheepish. “I don’t understand,” Tom confessed. “I worked hard, but my crops turned out so poorly. Yours, on the other hand, are thriving.”

John smiled kindly and said, “Remember, Tom, ‘As you sow, so shall you reap.’ You see, I took the time to care for my farm, to nurture each seed. I made sure they had enough water and sunlight, and I removed the weeds that could harm them. It’s not just about working hard, but about working wisely.”

Tom nodded, realizing his mistake. From that day on, he started to tend to his farm with more care and attention. He learned the importance of patience and diligence in farming, and over time, his harvests improved.

Lesson to Read:

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 the fields and hearts of the people for generations to come.

An Essay on A Journey by Train

Moral story: "a friend in need is a friend indeed", related articles.

Moral Story: “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine”

Moral Story: “A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss”

Moral Story: “Do Good Have Good”

Moral Story: “A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed”

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You Reap What You Sow – Meaning, Origin and Usage

We are sure there have been times when you have seen a mean-spirited person finally get their comeuppance. Perhaps you have tried to teach your child a lesson about proper behavior. If so, we have the perfect phrase for you. Have you ever heard the phrase "you reap what you sow"? This is a trendy phrase that is often used in day-to-day life. But what does it mean? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.

This saying means that if you do something, good or bad, you will eventually see the consequences of your actions. In short, the phrase means that you will see results if you put in the effort. You reap what you sow is a simple way of saying that you will get back from an action exactly what you put into it. If you sow bad deeds, then you will get a bad result. If you put forth earnest effort, you will get the benefits of that effort.

This phrase is often used as motivation to keep going even when things are tough. So, if you're facing a difficult situation, remember that you will reap the benefits of your hard work if you don't give up. In most cases, this phrase is used as a way to warn or teach others about the consequences of poor choices, but it can also be used to explain positive results. More information can be found in the video ( here )

Example Usage

"I know you're feeling discouraged right now, but remember, you reap what you sow, if you keep putting in the effort, you will eventually see the results." "You can't just cheat on your partner and expect things to work out. You reap what you sow." "If you want to be successful in life, remember that you reap what you sow. The harder you work, the more likely you are to achieve your goals."

Origin of You Reap What You Sow

This phrase is derived from the Bible. The Book of Galatians says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." This phrase has been used in many different contexts over the years and has become a famous saying that is often used in everyday life. The expression was also found in a sermon from old English times around 1650. It details the path of God’s followers getting the rewards of the kindness they sow during their lives.

Phrases Similar to You Reap What You Sow

• As you sow, so shall you reap.
• What goes around, comes around.
• Karma's a bitch.
• What goes up must come down.

Phrases Opposite to You Reap What You Sow

• Every dog has his day.
• You can't judge a book by its cover.
• You can't judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree.
• Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

What is The Correct Saying?

The phrase "you reap what you sow" is the correct saying.

Ways People May Incorrectly Say You Reap What You Sow

Most people use the phrase "you reap what you sow" correctly. However, there are some ways that people may incorrectly say this phrase. For example, some people may say, "you reap what you do" or "you reap what you saw."

Acceptable Ways to Phrase You Reap What You Sow

Some examples of proper usage are:

• Always do your best, after all, you reap what you sow.
• Don’t bully your classmates or it will come back to bite you in the end. After all, you reap what you sow.
• I am not sure how you expected a promotion after missing so many days from work. You reap what you sow, and you sewed lack of interest.
• Keep in mind that you reap what you sow. If you sow seeds of kindness you will get the fruits of that labor in return.

Related posts:

• You Made Your Bed; Now Lie In It – Meaning, Origin and Usage
• You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks – Meaning, Origin and Usage
• Can't Win for Losing – Meaning, Origin and Usage
• Bad Juju – Meaning, Origin and Usage
• How to Write a Vision Statement? (Step-by-Step)
• You Can’t Have Your Cake & Eat It Too – Meaning, Origin and Usage

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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.

Related Posts

Absolute-Study

Hindi Essay, English Essay, Punjabi Essay, Biography, General Knowledge, Ielts Essay, Social Issues Essay, Letter Writing in Hindi, English and Punjabi, Moral Stories in Hindi, English and Punjabi.

Wow what a wonderful writing. ….. it helped me a lot. Thank you! !!

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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 might also like:

• Bet Meaning
• IYKYK Meaning
• Ride or Die Meaning
• Deez Nuts Meaning
• Spirit Animal Meaning
• Slay Meaning
• Rickrolling Meaning
• L+ Ratio Meaning
• No names Meaning
• Weeaboo Meaning
• Chef’s Kiss Meaning
• How You Doing Meaning
• Papi chulo Meaning
• Irish Goodbye Meaning
• Assalamu Alaikum Meaning

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.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the meaning behind the saying 'you reap what you sow'?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

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.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the saying 'you reap what you sow' negative?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

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.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the idea of 'you reap what you sow' true?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

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.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the difference between 'you reap what you sow' and karma?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

'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.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the meaning of the phrase 'reap what you sow' in the Bible?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

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.

• Recent Posts

• Fire Crotch Meaning: Explained and Demystified - March 22, 2024
• Broscience Meaning: What Does Broscience Mean? - March 22, 2024
• Unlocking the Mystery: More Cowbell Meaning Explained - March 22, 2024

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

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

Word of the Day

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

acting or speaking together, or at the same time

Alike and analogous (Talking about similarities, Part 1)

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• English    Idiom
• All translations

Add reap what you sow to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.