DEVOTION – DAY 147

Luke 6:43-44 “Our Inner Condition”

 

Luke 6:43-44 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.

 

There are times when we are angry and we lose control. That is when we say things to hurt others, or to even curse. This may happen when we come across bad drivers on the road that cause us to brake our cars suddenly in order to avoid an accident. Or it could be someone who rudely jump a queue while we have been waiting patiently in line for our turn. But the angry words that come out of our mouths are actually a mirror to the condition of our hearts. Jesus in Luke 6:43-44 used an example of fruit trees to show that if a fruit tree is good, it will bear good fruit, and if it is a bad fruit tree, it can only bear bad fruit. From the fruits, we will know whether the tree is good or bad. In the same way, Jesus was teaching that by the words we use especially when we are unguarded, they will tell us the condition of our heart. If we are bad inside, even if we try to put up a good appearance for others to see, the bad will come out. In moments when we lose control, our real character will be revealed and people can tell by the angry words and curses we use on others. Jesus echoed this in Luke 6:45. Does that mean that we are all condemned as bad people? This is because all of us have moments of weakness when we allow our tempers to cause us to say bad things. How can we ever change what is bad in our hearts? We are helpless, but we can thank God because we can turn to Him to give us a renewed heart. A heart that over time will change us to be more like Jesus Christ, so that the moments we lose control of ourselves become less and less. And we begin to bear more and more good fruit.

I know someone who used to have a nickname “little chili”. She was known to have a hot temper and she had a sharp tongue. People would try not to upset her. But she realized that as a Christian, it was not right for her to continue to have such a hot temper. So, she made a conscious effort to control her temper and to watch what she says. The change did not happen overnight but the Lord worked in her heart. Today, she no longer has this nickname. The change is only possible because the Lord renewed her heart. Instead of saying hurting words, she now uses words to encourage others.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us a renewed Spirit and heart. Thank you for molding us to be more like your Son, the Lord Jesus. Help us to guard our hearts and our tongues always. In the great name of the Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What is your normal reaction when you are provoked and angered?
  2. What kind of example or impression do you give others when you lose control of yourselves? Discuss.
  3. How does that reflect what is in your heart? How would you like this aspect to be changed for the better? Discuss.
  4. What steps can you take to make these changes?