07-18-2011, 09:29 AM
<> <> <> <> <> Matthew 12:34 <> <> <> <> <>
Words Reveal Character33 “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, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
We humans are pretty transparent! A good person can't keep his goodness hidden, it flows out of him naturally; evil naturally flows from bad persons, no matter how they try to hide it. The evidence is in our words and actions - our "fruit".
Luke 6:43-44 For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.
The best fruit possible comes from those branches of the best possible vine -
John 15:4-7 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
1 John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
A short comment by Matthew Henry, to which I say "Right-On, Brother!"
Evil words proceed from an evil heart.
Men's language discovers what country they are of, likewise what manner of spirit they are of. The heart is the fountain, words are the streams. A troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring, must send forth muddy and unpleasant streams. Nothing but the salt of grace, cast into the spring, will heal the waters, season the speech, and purify the corrupt communication.
An evil man has an evil treasure in his heart, and out of it brings forth evil things. Lusts and corruptions, dwelling and reigning in the heart, are an evil treasure, out of which the sinner brings forth bad words and actions, to dishonour God, and hurt others. Let us keep constant watch over ourselves, that we may speak words agreeable to the Christian character.http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/co...8&source=2
Keeping constant watch with you ALL,
Your sister, Willa