What Seeds Are You Sowing?
- Osayi
- Oct 15
- 5 min read
Matthew 13:1-9
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.
And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.
And he told them many things in parables, saying:
‘A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.
Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
He who has ears, let him hear.”
The Heart of the Parable
Perhaps you’re familiar with the Parable of the Sower. Jesus uses this illustration to reveal the various responses to the Gospel message. The seed represents the Word of God, and the different types of soil reflect the conditions of the human heart. Each soil yields a different outcome, some bearing fruit, and others producing nothing at all.
But as I revisited this parable that I've read many times before, I found myself reflecting on the broader significance of seeds.
Seeds are a powerful symbol in Scripture. They’re not only used to represent the Word of God, but also appear throughout the Bible as metaphors for Faith (Matthew 17:20); The mortal body (1 Corinthians 15:44–49); Generational legacy (Galatians 3:16); The fruit of righteousness (Hosea 10:12); Farming and provision (Genesis 1:29).
It’s that last context of farming and sowing that began to stir a deeper understanding of how our influence and impact in others’ lives are like seeds sown into soil.
We Are All Sowers
Drawing from the principle of sowing and reaping, Scripture teaches us that whatever one sows will eventually produce a result, either good or bad.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
(Galatians 6:7)
God created the world with an interconnected design. Every part of nature contributes to a larger purpose. Just as vegetation supports life on Earth, and the sun sustains that vegetation through photosynthesis, and even the smallest components of creation down to the microbes in the soil play a vital role in nurturing life, so too do our actions create ripple effects in the lives of others. Our smallest actions have consequential potential for good or for harm. They can ripple outward, shaping hearts, homes, communities, and even generations. Whether you realize it or not, you are planting seeds in conversations, in choices, in reactions, and in the way you show up for people.
And just like in nature, what we sow produces a harvest.
The Seed’s Life Cycle: A Picture of Influence
Consider the process of a seed growing into a mature plant:
Sowing: A seed is planted into soil.
Breaking and Rooting: It absorbs water, breaks its outter shell, and sends roots into the soil.
Growth: A sprout pushes upward, begins to grow, and harnesses sunlight.
Maturity: The plant flourishes, bearing fruit and multiplying through new seeds.
This process is a vivid picture of our own influence. A single act of kindness or cruelty, the words we speak, every intentional or careless decision, a moment of forgiveness, these are seeds we plant in the lives of others. These seeds may anchor itself so securely in the soil bed of their hearts and minds and grow for years to come. They have the power to shape character, alter beliefs, nurture growth, or cause harm.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Influence isn't limited to those in positions of authority. Think of your relationships. In your parenting, mentorship, leadership, friendship, or even fleeting interactions with strangers, what seeds are you sowing? We all have the propensity for influence. How we choose to influence others matters greatly.
Building or Tearing Down?
“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw... it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.”
1 Corinthians 3:12-13
As Christians, we are called to sow seeds that reflect the character of Christ. Yet, as humans prone to error, none of us sow perfectly. Sometimes we sow what we do not intend: a harsh word, prideful choices, selfish decisions. Thank God for His mercy that meets us in those moments. In God’s mercy, we are not defined by a single season of sowing, instead, He offers us the chance to rebuild, to re-sow, to start again. Through repentance and grace, we can realign with His purpose and return to sowing righteousness.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
So take heart. If the seeds you’ve sown in your life or in the lives of those around you haven’t yielded a harvest that honors God, it’s not too late to change course. You can still produce fruit that pleases the Lord. That is the beauty of God's mercy, He invites you to draw near to Him, not because He’s watching for mistakes, but because He desires for us to sow good things that yield an abundance of life. God the Master Sower doesn’t just restore us, He restores our soil. He breaks up the hardened places in our hearts, waters our dry places with His Spirit, and makes us fruitful again. Only by receiving His seed of righteousness through Christ can we sow what is truly good, lasting, and life-giving.
For this reason, Scripture invites us to regularly examine what we’re sowing into the lives around us.
Take a moment for Reflection:
What are you sowing in your relationships?
Are you building others up or tearing them down?
If the people in your life were to name those who impacted them most, what would they say about your influence?
Remember that your actions matter. Your words matter. You have the power to leave a legacy, and it begins with the seeds you sow each day. You may never see the full harvest of your life on this side of eternity. But one thing is certain, seeds grow. And when you sow in faith, God brings the increase.
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Hosea 10:12
Final Thought
The Biblical concept of sowing and reaping is a principle of life. It's a call to intentional living. You are a sower. Your life is full of seeds. Just like a farmer doesn't expect to harvest wheat if he planted thorns, we can't expect a harvest of joy, love, or righteousness if we're sowing seeds of selfishness, pride, or sin.
But the beauty of this truth is that it's never too late to start sowing good seed. With God's grace, we can begin again, planting seeds of faith, hope, and love. Let the Spirit break up the fallow ground in your heart, and let the rain of God’s righteousness make you fruitful again so that what grows from your life points others to Him.
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