Harvest Requires a Planting

Based on the teaching of Charles CappsSource: Faith and Confession

Faith operates according to spiritual principles. One of those principles is that faith works like a seed, and the way to plant it is to say it.

Jesus taught that words spoken in faith matter:

Mark 11:23 — “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

A harvest requires planting. People who want to say something today and have the harvest tomorrow do not understand the principle of seedtime and harvest. A farmer knows that if there is going to be a harvest, seed must be planted before the harvest is needed.

Genesis 8:22 — “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest... shall not cease.”

Galatians 6:7 — “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Project Your Needs and Plan Your Confession

You must plan for a harvest.

Some people misunderstand Jesus’ teaching about taking no thought for tomorrow and conclude that they should never make plans. But Jesus was teaching against anxious thought and worry, not against preparation.

Matthew 6:31–34 — “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?... Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”

Faith does not require the absence of planning. There should be preparation for the harvest.

Proverbs 21:5 — “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness.”

When you know that a need is coming, begin confessing God’s promise before that need arises. Just as a farmer prepares the soil, plants the seed, fertilizes it, and works toward the crop before seeing the harvest, faith involves corresponding action.

James 2:17 — “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James 2:18 — “Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

Faith Is a Process

A farmer does not plant seed and expect a mature harvest the next morning. There is a process between planting and harvesting.

Jesus used this same picture when describing how seed produces:

Mark 4:26–29 — “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground... For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.”

First the blade. Then the ear. Then the full corn in the ear.

The harvest develops.

Faith and confession operate according to this seed principle. The normal process is to begin sowing the Word and speaking in agreement with God before the time the harvest is needed.

Romans 10:8 — “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach.”

2 Corinthians 4:13 — “We having the same spirit of faith... we also believe, and therefore speak.”

Plant Before You Need the Harvest

If you know the harvest you will need, begin planting toward it.

Prepare the soil. Plant the seed. Speak the Word. Act in faith. Allow the process to work. Expect the harvest.

Mark 4:14 — “The sower soweth the word.”

Hebrews 10:23 — “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”

Galatians 6:9 — “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Harvest requires a planting. Faith works like a seed, and the seed must be planted before the harvest is needed.

Teaching Credit: Charles Capps

Source: Faith and Confession