The Parables of Jesus: Luke 6:43-45
Luke 6:43-45
“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.”
This is a verse that many of us are familiar with. We read it and think “Ok, so if I am filled with the Holy Spirit then I should bear good fruit”. But what does that mean? Often we think that 'bearing good fruit' simply means being nice, going to church, maybe even being involved in a ministry. And we feel that if we are doing these things most of the time then we are doing pretty good. But the truth of the fruit we bear really comes out when no one is watching; when we just respond without thinking.
Verse 45 says “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” I am often convicted of this while driving. Someone cuts me off and I find myself yelling “You jerk! What is wrong with you!?” What does that response say about my heart? Or when someone hurts me or does something that makes me angry and I respond by being hurtful right back instead of speaking in love?
Doing good things does not necessarily equal bearing good fruit. God is not interested in our actions as much as He is in the state of our hearts. Once our hearts are right the overflow, the fruit we bear, will lead to right actions.
What kind of fruit are you bearing – truly?
Pastor Jeff Graham said:
And we wonder why God doesn't use us as much as we'd like Him to. I guess the next time we find ourselves angry or talking out of turn or gossiping, we need to take a look at our hearts.