What seeds are You planting?

  You do realize that with every action, every word you utter you are planting seeds? Some of the seeds, like the description in Matthew 13 and Luke 8, fall on the wayside, some on stony places, some on thorns, but some on good ground. This is the Parable of the Sower. But what we all need to appreciate is that WE sow seeds as well. (I can't speak for you but there have been/are times that I end up praying that my words or actions fall on one of the first 3 places and that they don't produce. Reaping is not a good in these cases.) 

  This is the point - our seeds produce. And, when we read scripture we see that seeds produce after their own kind. We also read (Matthew 12:36-37):

     "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they
      will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words
      you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

With this scripture in mind, we can cause our words and actions to be effective whether they are of support or correction, as long as we are intentional.

  It really is our decision as to whether we want out words and actions, our seeds to produce good fruit or not. And we have a standard by which to determine where we stand. John 15:1-5 tells us: (underlining mine)

     "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every 
      branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every
      branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
      ...I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and
      I in him bears much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing."

This is the relief - that we aren't doing this of ourselves or by ourselves. Fruit, even rotten fruit, is always produced. The point is that we have the opportunity to produce good fruit. The condition is that we can't do it alone. Pride will definitely get in our way. 

  I would add that we need to consider the how and when of seeding. We are told that the field is white unto harvest (John 4:35). And we are to be ready in and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2) to give an accounting. This is an intentionality but not obsession. Being prepared to seed is the point because we never know if we will plant, or water, or harvest (1 Corinthians 3:6).