A Fruitful Diagnostic
“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:18)
“The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9) “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water” (Pro. 20:5; Ps. 64:6). “No one does good, not even one” (Rom. 3:12). Do we not all confess the same truths? If anyone doubts the veracity of Scripture’s commentary on the heart, ask yourself one question – why do we complicate everything? When we see evil and insolence in our own hearts, how many excuses do we make? “I didn’t mean it like that!” “You don’t know the pressure I’m under.” “But they’ve been even worse.” From the person going 35 MPH down Port Gibson Street to every bank robber has a valid reason for their actions (in their own minds). Jesus, however, cuts through our complications and keeps it simple. How so?
For one, our lives produce fruit, and the quality of the fruit stems from the quality of the root. Now, Jesus isn’t referring to apples or oranges; Jesus is referring to words and deeds. In Matthew 15:18-19, Jesus says, “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart.” Then, He lists a litany of actions – evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Is it words or deeds? Yes. Say you have an acquaintance who loves nice, expensive things and loves to talk about them and themselves. How would you describe them? Prideful, worldly, and the like. You cannot see the root of pride, but you can see the fruit of pride.
If, for one, our lives produce fruit, then the second point flows downhill, there must be a standard for judging the fruit. Some fruit is good; some fruit is bad. Who makes that judgment? Where does he establish a standard? God judges the secrets of men’s heart, and He judges them according to His law. Back in Matthew 15, the various ills spilling forth from the heart can all be traced to the Ten Commandments. Notice, God did not say “The Ten Suggestions” or “The Ten Recommendations.” No, God called them the Ten Commandments. This standard accepts no excuses – “I just wasn’t happy,” “I had a long day,” “No one would ever know.” These commandments are not based upon feeling nor public opinion; they are based solely upon the righteousness of God.
The question is: how do we produce good fruit? First, we need a new root, a new heart (Ezek. 36:26). A world of fertilizer and self-help will not suffice. The source of our life must change for the fruit to change (Prov. 4:23). Second, good, healthy fruit will naturally come. Paul refers to these things as the “fruit of the Spirit.” Whose fruit? The Spirit’s fruit! Those born by the Spirit will live by the Spirit; those with a new root will produce new fruit.
Reader, ask yourself – what are you producing? Let the fruit of your drive you to the Lord of the Harvest in dependence and thankfulness!
