Matthew 12:33-37
A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit
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.”
We had an interesting Wednesday night service where the subject of Christian witnessing came up. Many times, we are our worst enemy. We proclaim with our mouth our faith, but often display embarassing and unchristian
behavior. Well, this IS what Jesus is talking about. A Christian is to behave as a Christian so that others see Christ in us. If we are anything different, we are not a good tree bearing good fruit. Jesus states "I tell you, on the
day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." This makes me want to stop immediately and repent of my sins and to tell Him I am sorry and
I want to do better. He forgives, and we keep our eyes focused on Christ, who will be forgiving us over and over again as we try to do better.
I pray: O Lord, I repent and want to do
better. Help me to bear good fruit and forgive me when I don't. Amen.