“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” — Luke 6:43
This parable caught my eye the other day. Jesus shares an illustration from the plant world. Imagine a golden delicious apple tree producing crabapples or a crabapple tree producing golden delicious apples? It is difficult to imagine because the fruit always matches the tree!
Likewise, Jesus teaches us that a person’s character, deeds, and even words, are simply an overflow of his heart. A good heart produces good fruit. Likewise, an evil heart produces evil fruit. A works-based religion tells us we just need to staple “good fruit” to an evil tree. In these verses, Jesus stops us from thinking that by stating that it flows out of our heart. Therefore, we need to be born again to get this new heart.
What is the application for us, Christian? What kind of fruit is flowing out of your heart? What do you talk about all of the time? Your favorite sports team? Your work? Are your social media posts trying to convince people how “cool” you are? Is your conversation full of half-truths, little white lies, or profanity?
Christian, Jesus is giving us a significant lesson in this passage. What is flowing out of our mouths (spoken and written) reflects what is in our heart.
What is coming out of your heart, Christian?
Josh
Posted in A Word from the Pastor