Day 109 "Are you bearing the fruit you desire or the fruit you deserve?"

Day 109

Matthew 12:33-37 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Jesus manages, once again, to ruffle the feathers of the religious leaders by calling them on the carpet so to speak. He is basically telling them to decide what and who they are going to be, either men of honesty and integrity or men driven by greed, pride, and power. This statement, as always, comes with great warning for those who are standing on the fence or attempting to walk down the middle. The truth is all men must make a choice: be a good and honest person (not perfect) or an evil person; however, speaking as one and acting like another is not an option for anyone. Idle words are those dangerous words that fall into the chasm of "in between;" they are meaningless and worthless, yet so dangerous and powerful, for they lead men astray.

How many times, while in the presence of friends, have you or someone else spoken of how you want to give someone a piece of your mind, yet when confronted with the person, back down. Oh, how dangerous gossip can be and is. Can you imagine the Lord judging you based upon the idle words or gossip you have spoken? There is some great news in this passage as well though; news of hope and healing. In verse 37, the word "justified" means to acquit. And what Jesus is saying is that those who purpose to follow Him, to bear good fruit by their words of "Good News;" encouragement, by the words that bear "good fruit," can be acquitted. The question would be, “On the scale of words, are you doing more to speak well or more to condemn?”

I am reminded of the passage in James 3 where the writer describes the tongue as deadly, dangerous, and powerful, capable of destroying men and building roaring fires of rage; hence, we should be extra watchful of our tongue. He also likens it to the rudder of a ship, capable of steering a mighty vessel. While yet so small, if the tongue speaks of what the heart feels, then we truly must be careful, wary, and mindful of what we store in our hearts and consequently release through our mouths, for with it, we can either tear down or build up–the choice is truly our own.

Daily Prayer: Father, help me, I pray, to control my tongue and to hold regular checkups on my heart. I truly desire to be in your will and speaking on your behalf. Show me when I fail that I might repent and be made whole by your righteousness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

"Are you bearing the fruit you desire or the fruit you deserve?"

Pastor Gene Burroughs