43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Verses 43-45 show us how to determine a person’s character.
6:43
“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
A “good tree” does not produce bad fruit; it is known by its edible fruit.
6:44
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
The fruit of the tree indicates its overall health.
For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble [brier] bush.
We can determine the quality of a tree by examining its fruit.
6:45
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.
The deeds that flow from a person reveal his character. His “heart” reflects who he is in his inner person.
For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
A person’s words reveal the kind of believer he is; it is the litmus test of his soul.
PRINCIPLE:
The quality of the Christian life reflects the kind of fruit the believer produces.
APPLICATION:
Our heart is a storehouse or reservoir of who we are. Our attitudes expose our hearts; they are the signature of what we believe and unmask who we are. Out of the believer’s attitude flows his values.
There is a clear connection between our attitudes and practices. We produce according to what we are. An evil attitude is a critical and judgmental attitude toward others. As a tree produces fruit according to its nature, so Christians produce actions according to their character. People produce fruit according to their character. We need self-examination to determine what we are.
A person’s behavior is no accident; it reveals his fundamental values about life.
