In Galatians 6:7, Paul cautions his readers that God will not be mocked. But what exactly does that mean?
Paul's Explanation in the Passage
Paul's point should be clear: actions have consequences. That is true for both good and bad actions. This is not only a spiritual principle, but also a fundamental universal truth. Many books have been written to convince people that good actions and good habits lead to good results, while bad actions and bad habits lead to bad results.
Paul uses a familiar phrase to illustrate his point: "A man reaps what he sows." In a culture still largely rooted in its agricultural heritage, this principle was so familiar as to be self-evident. "Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken" (Proverbs 22:8).
Jesus Himself frequently referenced this principle during His ministry. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit" (Matthew 7:16-17). The "fruit" that people bear – what they "reap" – is merely a reflection of what sort of "seed" they have planted in their lives.
What Does the Bible Mean by "Mocking"?
Several different words are translated as "mocking" in scripture. Most familiar to Bible readers is probably the sort of "mocking" that Jesus experienced during His trial and crucifixion. The Greek word for that sort of "mocking" means "to play with or trifle with." In other words, those who mocked Jesus treated him as unimportant, as someone with whom they need not be concerned. They cursed Him, beat Him, and made fun of Him, believing that they would not experience any consequences for their behavior.
The word that Paul uses in Galatians 6:7, however, is slightly different. That word means "to turn up the nose, or sneer at" someone or something. Other translations of this verse demonstrate this difference. For example, the Contemporary English Version (CEV) says that "you cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself!" The Message renders it, "No one makes a fool of God."
The underlying principle is similar: the one being mocked is not respected nor viewed as having any power or authority. However, the behavior is different. In Jesus' case, those who mocked Him directly abused Him, both physically and emotionally. They beat Him, cursed Him, laughed at Him, and spit at Him.
In Galatians 6:7, however, Paul is talking about a different type of behavior. At the end of chapter 5, Paul explained the difference between the "acts of the flesh" and the "fruit of the Spirit." The idea is clear: those who live according to the flesh reproduce the acts of the flesh, while those who "keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25) demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit.
Paul's comments in chapter 6 are a continuation of this concept: "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:8).
What Does Paul Mean in Galatians 6:7 That "God Will Not Be Mocked"?
Look back at the distinction between the types of "mocking" that scripture describes. Paul's readers – or those around them – are not mocking Jesus in the same way as occurred at His crucifixion. After all, Jesus was not there "in the flesh" – no one could spit on Him or strike Him on the head. They were not "playing with" or "trifling" with Him in that way.
Instead, Paul's point is that some people were "turning up their nose at God" by denying that He is God and by denying His authority as Sovereign of the universe. It is as if they were saying, "God's not going to do anything. He can't do anything to me! I can do whatever I want with impunity, because God either cannot or will not do anything about it."
That is the attitude that Paul addresses when He says that God will not be mocked. God created the universe to operate according to His laws and principles. When those laws are observed, good results follow. When those laws are ignored, that's bad news! "God will not be mocked," declares that God's laws and principles remain as valid as ever. It may look for a time that people are "beating the system," but they are not. God will not be mocked; a man reaps what he sows. The "harvest" may be delayed, but it will not be denied.
Paul's Call to Holy Living
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:7-10).
The harvest may be delayed, but it will not be denied. Those who sow to please the Spirit will reap eternal life; those who sow to please the flesh will reap destruction. This happens on God's timetable; that's why people sometimes think that they have escaped the consequences of their actions.
But God will not be mocked; in the end, everyone will harvest the "crop" they have sown.
