"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:43-45
There were 2 things that came to mind as I read this passage: is it possible for a good tree to produce bad fruit (and vice versa) and how much of one's insides reflect on the outside? To answer both questions Jesus is telling us that we are what we do. A lot of times we do something and say that we didn't mean it or that it was out of character; that what was done wasn't really me or what was said wasn't really what I meant. God is trying to clear things up with this scripture saying we are on the insides what the outsides revealed. As painful as this may seem it's absolutely true. We are that sinful, uncompassionate, self-centered person that we deny. And God does this not to condemn us but rather to be brought into the light where God can lay His hands and start the healing. It also allows us to look inwardly, inviting the Holy Spirit's grace and transformation.
I see this evident in my life. I sometimes question it by saying that sometimes people do good things even though they are bad. Sometimes I see good people to bad things. I'm these people on different days. But the fruit produced isn't about how it seems on the outside, it's the quality on the inside that reveals its source. A piece of fruit may seem disfigured or bruised on the outside but once you open it up and taste it might be the most nourishing and pleasant thing ever.
Another way to look at the fruit is kind of like the Charlie Brown tree. The fruit may seem unpleasant without much to offer but when it's nurtured and handled by the giver to bring a blessing to another in the name of Jesus it's so nourishing to the soul. God can take even the most imperfect gifts and make it fit for the King.
Fruit here isn't about the fruit at all. It's about what the fruit was design for by God Himself through the vessel. So now when I think about how good fruit cannot be produced by a bad tree it all makes perfect sense.
Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me this valuable lesson. I cannot go around judging others solely by the quality of their fruit but instead allow the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to see the agendas of their heart as they offer their gifts. By this holy discernment I will be able to serve You better in all I do as well as to guard my own thoughts and actions. I'm so abundantly blessed by You LORD. In the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!
I see this evident in my life. I sometimes question it by saying that sometimes people do good things even though they are bad. Sometimes I see good people to bad things. I'm these people on different days. But the fruit produced isn't about how it seems on the outside, it's the quality on the inside that reveals its source. A piece of fruit may seem disfigured or bruised on the outside but once you open it up and taste it might be the most nourishing and pleasant thing ever.
Another way to look at the fruit is kind of like the Charlie Brown tree. The fruit may seem unpleasant without much to offer but when it's nurtured and handled by the giver to bring a blessing to another in the name of Jesus it's so nourishing to the soul. God can take even the most imperfect gifts and make it fit for the King.
Fruit here isn't about the fruit at all. It's about what the fruit was design for by God Himself through the vessel. So now when I think about how good fruit cannot be produced by a bad tree it all makes perfect sense.
Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me this valuable lesson. I cannot go around judging others solely by the quality of their fruit but instead allow the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to see the agendas of their heart as they offer their gifts. By this holy discernment I will be able to serve You better in all I do as well as to guard my own thoughts and actions. I'm so abundantly blessed by You LORD. In the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!
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