Secret Weapon
Proverbs 11:2 ESV
Galatians 6:7 ESV
I learned a long time ago that we reap what we sow. The full scripture says in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
Later I found out every major religion has it’s own version of that scripture.
It makes sense really because if we want green beans but we grab the seed sack filled with carrot seed we will not get green beans. We will get carrots. In the same way if we want kindness but we are mean to someone and we do not give them respect we will more than likely not receive respect. With that example there are people who will give respect to others because they have made a decision to respect others regardless of how they are treated…but that’s very rare.
In the same way King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
According to Solomon the result of pride is disgrace.
And the result of humility is wisdom.
Solomon was indeed a very wise man!
To unpack that let’s use the example of having humility. There are people in this world who have been hurt and dishonored so badly that they build walls around themselves because of their fear. The fear was installed in them as a protective measure when they were very young. They may not even remember life without fear. It could be a hidden fear from being shamed. Their hidden fear is their secret disgrace. But it is so deeply embedded in them that they hold onto it…to the point of being proud of it because it protects them. At the same time their hidden fear is secretly disgraceful. They hide their fear.
Now let’s look at another person. They were protected as a child but they were not isolated. They could see how others responded and they learned how to give love and receive love. Their intention was to treat others with respect and love. They grew in wisdom. That person had so much wisdom they could see others who hated and they knew it was because something happened in their life. They spread love everywhere they went.
King Solomon was very wise and he knew respect begets respect. It may not be instant, but in time it will come. When we give love and respect we will eventually receive respect.
Respect is the seed sown. Respect is the crop. We cannot sow seeds of disrespect and receive a crop of respect. We reap what we sow. Every time.
Deborah/acrazyjourney.com
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