Scripture:
Matthew 12:33-37 ESV
[33] “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. [35] The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. [36] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Observation:
the lesson that Jesus is teaching those around HIM at the time is simple. But difficult at the same time. Referring to them as fruit trees…HE is speaking to them in a language that they can understand. We know the crowd has some Pharisees in it, and I’m sure that’s who HE was addressing. HIS comment, “Make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad” is HIS way of saying get off the fence. You either are or you’re not. In verse 34, Jesus comes straight for the juggler vain by calling them a brood of vipers. I would imagine HE used this term specifically because they were always looking at the faults of others waiting to strike. Yet paying no attention to how truly dangerous that is. Pretending to be good, but their hearts were dark at the core. Then HE gives us a clear way to identify where our heart is in any given situation. Telling them that their heart is revealed by what they say. If their intent is evil, what they say will reveal that, and if their intent is good, their words will expose that as well. Verse 36 is a very scary verse to me. On the day of judgment, every careless word will be revealed. Every word is said behind the back of someone you love. Or as you are walking away under your breath. This was a warning for the Pharisees, yes, but it should catch our attention as well.
Application:
Honestly, if all we get out of this scripture is that we need to watch what we say, we are missing the point. Of course, that is one of the messages that is being spoken. But the more important matter is the condition of our hearts… and how that is revealed by the things that we say. If you want an accurate assessment of where your heart is, take a good look at how you speak. Now I’m not trying to step on toes, and if I were, I would have to guard my own here as well. When I read this scripture this morning, it gave me a heart punch as well. The point is how we speak reveals the condition of our hearts. I have heard it said, “You can’t walk around with a mouth full of scripture and a heart full of hate. However, if I’m honest, I can say that I have held the position in my own life before. I used scripture to condemn those I was trying to help. In a sense, I was just like Peter in the garden swinging for the head of the enemy and cutting off the ear of someone. Who needs to know HE died for them. My point is that the fruit of the Spirit all stems from LOVE, and if we have love in our hearts. That is what we will be speaking about, and if our hearts are full of hate, that will show in the way we speak as well. The Bible says they will know that we believe in Jesus because of the way we love. My question to you is this… what does the way you speak reveal about the condition of your heart? Are you speaking love and life, or when you open your mouth, do those around you cringe. The word of GOD is a story of HIS love for us. The point of the bible is wrapped in one verse. John 3:16 for GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only son that who so ever believes in HIM shall not die but have eternal life. Now that’s love Jesus died for us. So that we could love others into the kingdom. No other way will work. So my request to you is… if the way you speak is not out of love, ask GOD to change your heart so that you will speak life to those who need to know HIM. Let the words you speak reveal a heart of love.
Prayer:
Father, help us we want a heart of love. We want to be able to speak to others in a way that brings us glory. We are asking you to guard our words. We do not want to be cutting the ears off of those who need you. Father, we know you are good. We want a heart of love. We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus