(Nuggets from Matthew 12:33)
A little back story..
Jesus had just healed a man who was both BLIND and DUMB, and the expected response from the crowd, family, and friends of the man should have been EXCITEMENT and JUBILATION, but guess what?
The wonderful Pharisees came for Jesus, accusing Him of casting out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils.
Such effrontery exhibited by the Pharisees, calling the work of the Holy Spirit 'demonic' was totally extreme.
Jesus responded to them that "a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand", and that Satan wouldn’t fight against his own demons, else his kingdom wouldn't stand.
Jesus needed to use a common illustration that everyone would understand - Agriculture.
The TREE in this context represents the HEART, which is your TRUE INNER CHARACTER, IDEAL NATURE, and PERSONALITY.
The FRUIT in this context refers to WORDS and ACTIONS.
The “fruit” is what comes out of you as a person, especially through your words and actions, just like what the Pharisees were saying about Jesus.
Jesus' response to the Pharisees explained and paraphrased in clearer terms was:
“Your WORDS (THE FRUIT) are EVIL and BLASPHEMOUS. That reveals that your HEARTS (THE TREE) are evil.
A good person with a good heart would never say something so wicked and twisted about the obvious work of God - the miracle of healing the man who was DEAF and BLIND.”
Jesus made it clear that there are only two POSSIBILITIES, no middle course.
A GOOD TREE WILL DEFINITELY YIELD GOOD FRUIT, and a BAD TREE WILL DEFINITELY YIELD A BAD FRUIT.
The ONLY reason a 'supposed child of God' will keep living in sin is because THE PERSON DID NOT FULLY SURRENDER TO GOD and, as a result DID NOT FULLY REPENT.
THE TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT.
Your WORDS are a sneak peek into your HEART.
You can pretend on the outside, but sooner or later what you say (especially when you are triggered, angry, offended or under pressure) shows everyone what you’re really like on the inside.
DON'T EVER LIE TO YOURSELF!
If bad stuff keeps coming out of your mouth, the problem isn’t just your MOUTH — the problem is your HEART. Fix the TREE (let God change your HEART), and the FRUIT (your WORDS and LIFE) will automatically become good too.
This is HOLINESS CHALLENGE
DAY 327 OF 365 🔥
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