“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”—2 Corinthians 9:5-7 (NKJV)
“Men carry the vision and the seed; women are the ones that carry it and birth it.”—LaDrena Bolden
Seed. The propagative source of something. The sperm. The offspring. The ovum or ova.
Seed. When used with an object (bookmark that), it means to sow; to place in the hopes of a profit; to develop or stimulate.
If you are a single person, I pray that this will provide you with a deeper insight into covenant selection when it comes to joining yourself to a LIFELONG PARTNER.
If you are married, I pray this will offer greater insight into the covenant that you are already in.
For all people, even those who do not desire marriage (which means you are taking an oath of abstinence, right?-I Corinthians 6:16), I hope this will give you clarity on the purpose of Adonai-ordained relationships, period: personal or professional. Although this will be more about marriage than anything else, if you have some questions on if a relational season is beginning or ending (Ecclesiastes 3), this should at least provide a few answers.
Relationships are vital in this world. There’s no way around that. One of the first scriptures that comes to mind in reference to this is Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NKJV): “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.” So, no wonder the Enemy would do his best to try and break them up. I think I mentioned this a few devotionals ago, but it definitely bears repeating. If you are currently in a marital covenant, you already have A LOT OF POWER at your disposal. A LOT:
“Also, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about something and pray for it, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. This is true because if two or three people come together in my name, I am there with them.”—Matthew 18:19-21 (NKJV)
By two people coming together in agreement, whatever they pray for they can have? Yeah. If you’re married, you don’t think the Enemy is quick to try and break that up? If you’re single, you don’t think the Enemy wouldn’t try and deter you from such a privilege? After all, “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10) is his hobby of choice. That said, if you are a part of a covenant union, no matter what discourse may be going on (and I sense there is a lot these days), if you are considering ending your marriage because of it, please remember you serve a God of love that hates division (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Tearing oneness apart is a gruesome act (Malachi 2:16)…for both the husband and wife (whether immediately or eternally) and no matter what is going on, the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Your Heavenly Father sees, hears and knows all. Covenants are never just a two-party agreement (Matthew 19:4-6). He joined two together. Don’t take (permanent) separation lightly. Marital vows are to your spouse, but they are also unto the Lord (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). As much as it is within your power to make it work, please do (I Corinthians 7:14). What is not within your power, give over to the Lord way before giving in to defeat (I John 4:4).
But this isn’t really about divorce. This is about one purpose of marriage that doesn’t get addressed nearly as much as I think it should: sowing seed and reaping harvest. The lead quote comes from a friend of mine who is in a very powerful friendship with another. It consists of one man and one woman. There is no sexual history. They pray for one another. They “touch and agree”. The have true agape love and also have an understanding that with that love comes a time for accountability and rebuke (Proverbs 27:6). It’s good ground (bookmark that, too). Well, as she was praying for him earlier this week, she wrote me to say, “This is the revelation I had….men carry the vision and the seed, women are the ones that carry it and birth it. I am here to help [him] birth his visions. That tripped me out. I was like hmmmmmm, ummmmm ok. Now let me ask you, does this make sense to you in your spirit?”
DOES IT MAKE SENSE? Ms. Bolden, when it comes to the spiritual side of relationships, it takes things to an entirely different stratosphere! What would marriages be like if people really looked at it from this perspective? If when we read the Lord’s blessing over Adam and the Woman’s union in Genesis to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28), that we took that beyond one of the purposes of sex (Genesis 2:24-25), which is procreation? A fruitful relationship should “produce good results”; “cause to bear abundance”; be “conducive to productivity”. It should be advantageous, beneficial, effective, prolific, rewarding, successful, useful and worthwhile. When the Lord spoke to the male and female joining together (the only organic way procreation can take place), he wanted them to fill the earth with more of their own kind, indeed; but he also instructed them to have dominion over the earth and to be its master. And he spoke to their source of sustenance as well: SEED:
“God said, ‘Look, I have given you all the plants that have grain for seeds and all the trees whose fruits have seeds in them. They will be food for you.’”—Genesis 1:29 (NCV)
On the third day of creation, the Godhead introduced seed to the earth (Genesis 1:11-13). SEED IS A BIG DEAL. But it’s this line right here, found in verse 12 that I want to pause and reflect on today: “Each seed grew its own kind of plant.”
This week, a spiritual/love brother of mine, Joseph Matthew Richey, under the unction of our Father, called a 21-day non-processed foods fast. It’s called “Fast Forward”. During the hours of 3pm-10pm, there is a very specific way that we must eat. Well, for the past couple of days (and I’m sure it’s because fasts usually affect the flesh, first), I’ve been hearing the word “organic” in my spirit; that I should pursue things that are organic, even in the relational sense and I should release things that are not; things that need to be “covered up” with so much just to make it even seem remotely appealing. You know the kind: sexual because there’s no real intimacy; dramatic because there’s no real substance; habitual because well, that’s all there is…habit.
You’d have to be living under a rock to not know that marriage is a desire of my heart (Psalm 37:4) at the time the Lord sees fit. I’d have to be living under a rock to not see that he’s starting to line some things up…quicker and clearer than ever when it comes to that request. Yesterday, I was provided with a surefire way to know the organic one from the ones who are filled with “additives”: he will be intrinsic. INTRINSIC. A word just for me from the Lord but one that people really should think about applying to their own lives. What does Genesis 1:12 say? That each seed grows its own kind of plant, right? The Lord told me that my mate and I would be intrinsic. We would be “belonging to a thing by its very nature”; “belonging to or lying within a given part”.
And here is where it gets really good.
Those of us who fight for marriage to remain between a man and a woman, if we’re really paying spiritual attention, it’s because we are looking to get restored back to the Garden of Eden (as much as possible). Back to a time when man and woman weren’t just given dominion but lived in it. To Bible believers, marriage is a faith-based union, indeed. But it’s also where we understand the purpose of the relationship beyond physical attraction and even certain levels/layers of love. Genesis 1:12 says that seeds were made to produce its own kind of plant. Now let’s jump up a few verses. In Genesis 2:22-23 (NCV), the Word says this:
“The LORD God used the rib from the man to make a woman, and then he brought the woman to the man. And the man said, ‘Now, this is someone whose bones came from my bones, whose body came from my body. I will call her ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of man.”
Adam and the Woman? They were an INTRINSIC COUPLE. She belonged to him because she was taken out of one of his given parts (by the Creator). It’s the only recorded time when a person was made in this way. Since then, the Lord has used SEED. The first reference to this is when the curses were handed out and he told the serpent that he would be enmity (hatred) between the Woman’s seed and his own(Genesis 3:15).
Seed. Again, it is a powerful thing.
As I was piecing all of this together, I must admit that it even had me so floored that I had to take a nap. Marriage should be a faith-foundation (2 Corinthians 5:7) union for the purpose of taking dominion of this earth and being fruitful while doing it. When selecting a covenant partner, because it is a spiritual union, the Spirit should do the choosing because we only live by following the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). When you sow to the flesh, you die to it (Galatians 6:8). And because the entire point of seed is to plant to produce more of its kind, your mate should be of intrinsic value to you.
Have you ever noticed old married couples? They look alike. The walk alike. They finish each others’ sentences. They belong to one another by their very nature. In a covenant union, there is no such thing as “irreconcilable differences”. You are a part of one another. You work it out. Not just for your sake, but the sake of the generations that are to follow. And so yes, if you are single, that is something else to bear in mind. DON’T JUST LOOK FOR THE MAN/WOMAN OF YOUR DREAMS (watch what you’re dreaming about in making that wish list, too, y’all-Romans 1:21-22), BUT THE FATHER/MOTHER OF YOUR SEED. What lifestyle/values/lineage does that person come from? How important is their relationship with the Creator? Are they organically/intrinsically compatible with your spirit man/woman? Because of the flesh’s disdain for the spirit, it will tempt you to look for things that will appease your carnality and to be quite honest, that is why a lot of marriages are suffering in the way that they currently are. Cite divorce documents or hear people’s testimonies and you will see that many of these are the reason for the break-up:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”—Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)
And due to brokenness, fear, unresolved anger, non-repentance or a deliberate/rebellious decision not to reconcile, rather than accessing the kingdom of God (something that marriage is a part of, by the way), they inherit these fleshly strongholds, instead and pass them down. The seed of the flesh produces more of its kind.
The Bible tells us that a tree is known by its fruit. SINGLES, TEST THE FRUIT. Right under the above scriptures are the signs of a spirit-led person:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”—Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
The Message Version puts it this way:
“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”
Spirit-based relationships have a willingness to stick with things. Spirit-led people find themselves involved in loyal relationships. Which brings me all the way back to LaDrena’s point about one of the main purposes of man and woman coming together. When it comes to making a baby, a man comes with a certain kind of seed (sperm). A woman comes with a certain kind of organ to develop and birth that seed (uterus). Two men can’t make that happen…organically. Two women can’t, either. This is the “decent order” (I Corinthians 14:40) of our Father’s plan and we are not wise enough to question it in a way that will ever make sense to our flesh in this lifetime. That’s just the way it is (Isaiah 55:8-9).
But to the married people, I want to encourage you to take this beyond a physical imparting, birth and child. There are so many visions that men have. Not to say that women don’t, but is it not interesting that with all that Adam was given, he still needed some help? GOD SAID SO (Genesis 2:18). Even with all of the instructions/privileges/power that he was given, the Lord said it wasn’t good for him to be alone. He would make a helper that was right…suitable…appropriate…RIGHTEOUS for him. There was so much seed in Adam, that the Lord created a vessel to help him carry it through. A “seed bearer”…someone he could bring his ideas to that would carry and uphold them…someone he could transfer his hopes into that would help him develop a profit—literally and spiritually. He doesn’t have it within himself to “stimulate his seed” alone in the way that his helpmate can. HE WASN’T CREATED TO. His wife gains him favor with God (Proverbs 18:22) that takes his seed to new levels. Simply put, MARRIAGE DEVELOPS THINGS…SUPERNATURALLY.
Which brings me to my final point.
I initially thought that El Berith, the God of Covenant, was going to use an entirely different set of lead verses for this message:
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”—Galatians 6:7-9 (NKJV)
Whether you are the seed carrier (man/husband) or seed bearer (woman/wife), whatever your current condition is, the Bible speaks to it being a direct cause and effect. Flesh brings forth corruption. Spirit brings forth eternal life. If you are in a situation where either the seed carrier is carnal or the seed bearer is, remember that the harvest comes when the two things are both at work. There can be no harvest with just the seed or the soil; the sperm or the uterus; the vision or the one who helps to birth it:
“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.”—I Corinthians 7:14 (NKJV)
Whatever your spouse is “weak in faith” in at this moment (Hebrews 11), the Word says that it’s due to your union, YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE UNION, that you are able to set him/her apart, you are able to aid in the purification and consecration process. MARRIAGE MAKES THAT POSSIBLE. And so, to you, the ones tempted to call it quits, I would simply remind you not to become weary. As a good seed carrier or bearer, in DUE SEASON you will reap.
But actually, as I was praying about this message, it was the lead verses that the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:12) led me to. Although these verses are often used in reference to tangible items, they definitely can apply to other things. Light bulb moment? The reason why a lot of people are not seeing the kind of marital harvest they would like is because of the amount of seed they are sowing (men) or how they are carrying the seed they’ve been given (women).
If you are a husband, spiritual laws are just that. There is even science to how the Lord operates. If you sow a little bit of love…or peace…or longsuffering…into your wife, what kind of harvest are you really expecting? Wives, if you receive an abundant seed of kindness, goodness and faithfulness but you uproot it with nagging, bitterness and jealousy, what kind of harvest are you really expecting? WHAT YOU GIVE IS WHAT YOU GET. FOR THERE TO BE A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST, THE TWO MUST WORK TOGETHER. THERE MUST BE THE UTMOST RESPECT GIVEN TO THE SEED CARRIER AND THE SEED BEARER.
I spent a bit of time on the whole “seed/sow/harvest” process and it really hit me when I checked out one definition of “harvest”: “a supply of anything gathered at maturity…” What’s a scripture that I quote in almost every devotional that I write? TIMING IS THE FATHER’S BUSINESS? (Acts 1:7-Message) Now here’s where the third cord in the covenant comes in. The man is the seed carrier. The woman is the seed bearer. The Father is who brings the seed, once it’s planted, into maturity. This gives me a greater insight into why the Lord hates divorce so. In many cases, either the seed carrier, bearer or both, have taken time into their own hands. They have decided that because they don’t see a harvest when or in the way that they deem fit, that they should uproot what has been planted. That is prideful and it brings for the destruction (Proverbs 16:18). No wonder the Word says things like “A friend loves at ALL TIMES” (no wonder you should marry your friend-Proverbs 17:17). No wonder the Bible states that God makes EVERYTHING beautiful in its TIME.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) No wonder we are told that a wise man (or woman) discerns TIME and judgment (Ecclesiastes 8:5). No wonder El Shaddai, the All Sufficient God, is called, “The Lord of the Harvest.” (Matthew 9:38)
And so, with this, I leave you.
Men, you are powerful on this earth. You carry seed; the propagative source of so many things.
Women, you are to be honored as well. You are the helpmates, the seed bearers, the ones to carry, uphold and bring things into fruition.
If you a single man, look for a spiritual seed bearer. One that will not just “take your seed”, but nurture and develop it.
If you are single woman, look at the seed of a man. An apple tree cannot produce oranges. I’m sure this is what grandma meant when she said you can’t change a man. Only God can take something from one thing into another, but don’t play God in courtship. You are a worthy vessel. Take heed to what you allow to be planted into you—physically, emotionally and especially spiritually.
If you’re a husband or wife, don’t try and do what you cannot. You cannot control the harvest time. You can only control where and how you plant your seed. The rest is up to the One who created you with the ability to carry or bear the seed to begin with.
And to everyone reading this, please pray for organic relationships. Spiritually organic ones at that. Ones that are spiritually necessary. Spiritually original. Spiritually undivided. Spiritually whole.
So that whatever you purpose to multiply, it will be a blessing to this dying world. Your seed will be worthy of producing more of its kind. It will be a harvest with the right fruit.
The Fruit of the Spirit.
Ripe and ready.
Just as the Father intended…all along.
In the Garden of Eden.
And still…even now.
©Shellie R. Warren/2010