The Danger of Judging Outcomes

Some of the most dreaded words you can hear as a minister are, “We tried that before.” These words are rarely meant to be informative; they are almost never followed by, “And here’s what we learned for next time,” or “But it’s probably about time to try it again.” No, they’re typically meant to be dismissive; they become a shorthand way for saying, “That action is a waste of time, because it didn’t achieve what we think it should have.” They’re not words typically spoken because the action in question has been examined in light of Scripture and judged to be unfaithful; they’re spoken because the outcome observed after past efforts isn’t the one expected or desired.

It’s very dangerous to get into the habit of judging outcomes rather than actions. Paul told the Galatians, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). The Holy Spirit did two things through Paul’s pen here to ensure that the teaching of this verse would be underlined and highlighted in our minds if not in our Bibles. First, He told us to anticipate active deception relative to this truth. Second, He told us that misunderstanding this passage can lead to active, open mockery of God. This passage is so important and immutable that sometimes people refer to it as “the law of sowing and reaping.”

Sometimes we assume that the deception and mockery that are warned against here all relate to those who believe that their fleshly behavior won’t yield corruption. Could it be though that the devil is also trying to convince us that our spiritual behavior won’t yield the results that God promises? Shouldn’t we connect the teaching of this text to “he who sows to the Spirit” in Galatians 6:8 and the further encouragement in Galatians 6:9 to “not grow weary while doing good”? Sometimes, a people who have given into deception and judged an activity based on outcomes end up not sowing to the Spirit and/or growing weary in doing good simply because they do not believe that a given activity will work.

To prepare His disciples for the Judgment Day, Jesus told two stories about a master who left his servants with some money. The master’s intention in both stories was for this money to serve as an investment; they were to take the money and multiply it through business transactions. In one story, each servant was given the same amount (Luke 19:11-27); in the other, each servant was given a different amount, “to each according to his own ability” (Matthew 25:14-30). In both stories, there was a servant who knew his master’s intentions but, fearing that he would do the wrong thing, did nothing (Matthew 25:24-25; Luke 19:20-21). In both stories, this was exactly the wrong thing to do in the eyes of the master; the master makes it clear that he would have been pleased with even a minimal effort. In the absence of any effort though, the master had no choice but to withhold his blessings (Luke 19:22-26) and punish a man who was ultimately a “wicked and lazy servant” (Matthew 25:26-30).

As we reflect on these stories, we recognize that there are some things which we have been given equally (e.g., the Gospel message) and other things with which we are uniquely and individually blessed. However, with no thing that we are given by God are we meant to do nothing. This is the real danger of, “We tried that before.”

It is right and good to evaluate our efforts to ensure that we are doing the most we can possibly do for the Lord. As we do this, old methods and ministries may die out and be replaced with new ones. As Paul evaluated his ministry in Asia Minor and other places, he concluded, “But now no longer having a place in these parts… I shall come to you” (Romans 15:23-24). There was nothing wrong with Paul concluding that a ministry opportunity had itself concluded; what would have been wrong is if nothing ever arose to take its place. Some churches might very well conclude that door knocking, Gospel Meetings, and other such efforts are no longer effective. However, the Lord is likely to ask these churches one day, “Well, what did you do instead?” If these parables are anything to go by, the Lord will one day be far more pleased with the church that continued to use old, outdated methods than with the church that did similar things at one point but then proceeded to do nothing in the name of progress.  

Doing something guided by the Word is always better than doing nothing. As we act, again, we must remember this: there is a great deal of deception surrounding Christian sowing and reaping. Reflecting on Galatians 6:7-9 reveals at least four key avenues of deception:

• Deception surrounds our view of ourselves: “he who sows” (v. 8). Sometimes, the problem isn’t the means or the method but the messenger. Good work can easily be undone by a half-hearted, double-minded, or in some other way improperly motivated worker. Good work can also be undone by sin in the camp (cf. Joshua 7); as Paul said, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9).
• Deception surrounds our view of Christian work: “he who sows” (v. 8). Galatians 6:7 is very careful to point out that sowing can either be carnal or spiritual. Sometimes, Christians confuse activity with faithfulness and fully invest in activities which don’t actually involve sowing spiritual seed. There is nothing wrong with engaging in activities that have secondary benefit. Playing games, watching movies, going fishing/hunting, etc., with Christian brothers and sisters can help strengthen the bonds of friendship and fellowship. However, if all of our effort is placed in these things, nothing spiritual can ever grow.
• Deception surrounds our timelines: “in due season” (v. 9). Sometimes, our timeline is not what it should be. God’s timeline and our timeline are often very, very different (2 Peter 3:8). Sometimes, God calls us to persist in an effort for a lifetime without seeing the fruit of our labor (Hebrews 11:13). A good work we do now may not see its effect until decades or even generations later; some work will not “become clear” until “the Day will declare it,” a likely reference to the Day of Judgment (1 Corinthians 3:13).
• Deception surrounds our expectations: “we shall reap” (v. 9). Sometimes, we simply are not good judges of outcomes. It is sometimes assumed that an effort has failed because there are few/no visitors, no baptisms, and/or no visible responses amongst the members of the church. We can forget that God’s word “shall not return to [Him] void” (Isaiah 55:11) and that our labor “in the work of the Lord” is never “in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The prophet Jeremiah was told that his life-long ministry would be to a people who would fight against him (Jeremiah 1:19). Likewise, Ezekiel was told that his audience, “the house of Israel,” was “impudent and hard-hearted” and that they would “not listen” to him (Ezekiel 3:7). Jeremiah and Ezekiel ought to remind us that faithful work for the Lord is never determined exclusively by earthly outcomes. Sometimes, the only treasures that we get from an effort are “treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). At all times, bountiful harvests come from “God who gives the increase,” not from our efforts (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

Keeping one eye on the Word of God and the other on ourselves, our efforts, our timelines, and our expectations can help us overcome all this deception, act, and in acting realize God’s promise: “in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). May we trust this promise and not place our trust in earthly outcomes.

-Patrick Swayne  
patrick@tftw.org