Satisfaction (Proverbs 18:20)

It is interesting that the Bible not only identifies physical sustenance, but it also identifies spiritual sustenance.

"A man's moral self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth, and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]." Proverbs 18:20, Amplified

The New King James version differs greatly from the Amplified translation. In the New King James we find that a man's stomach will be satisfied, but in this version it speaks of the moral self. Now the moral self seems to be the most logical way to go since it is more parallel to the spiritual aspects of our lives.

We are not only fed and nourished by what we take into ourselves either physically or spiritually, but we are nourished by what comes out of us. Think of it like a business. When a business is first established, it is at its weakest point of existence. But as it continues to produce product, the company expands and becomes stronger in its existence. It is the process of supply and demand at work. Believe it or not, there is a spiritual supply and demand as well. The human spirit needs to be filled with something and as we produce fruit, not only do we benefit others, but we in turn nourish ourselves.

We are told, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV) Jesus, Himself said, "What comes out of a man, the defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All evil things come from within and defile a man." (Mark 7:20-23, NKJV) Now it seems a little counter productive to look at the verse of today and to look at these two other verses. But there is a point to these two verses.

It is within the nature of man to be evil and do evil. We naturally produce bad, but as we exercise our freedom in the Lord, we begin to produce fruit. It is process that we grow in and become stronger at. Think of it like exercising. My body is in the shape of a sphere; I am lumpy and frumpy. But I know if I took the time to exercise, my body would come back into shape and I would have more energy, all around it would be more beneficial for me.

It is our job to produce the fruit of the spirit which is "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23) So how does one produce such fruit? The answer is found in the next chapter of Galatians. "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." (Galatians 6:8, NKJV) If we are to nourish our sprits, we must then operate in the realm of the Spirit. Let the consequence of your words be everlasting life.