Matthew: Part 2预览

Have you ever gone to an orchard and picked your own apples or peaches? If you have, you’ll notice that some trees have tons of fruit on them. Other trees don’t do so well. They don’t have much fruit on them, or maybe the fruit they do have is rotten.

Jesus talks about fruit trees in this passage. Now, when Jesus talks about trees He’s actually talking about your heart. 

Some religious leaders had come to Jesus and started speaking mean and negative things to Him. They started saying things about Him that weren’t true. 

Jesus essentially says to them, “Check your heart.” 

You see, the words you say come from your heart. “What’s in your heart determines what you say” (Matthew 12:34).

If your heart is healthy, it will produce good fruit. The words that you say will be encouraging, truthful, and kind. They will build others up. 

But, if your words are negative or mean - if you find yourself gossiping or telling lies - that might be a sign that something’s off in your heart.

Are your words building others up or tearing them down? What does that say about your heart?

Today, I challenge you to use your words to build others up. Encourage someone today by telling them what you love about them.