Matthew 12:33-37
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
DEVOTIONAL
We find in the Old Testament that our Chosen Jewish friends were to be examples for the world and to live life in accordance with the instructions from the God who called them as a people. This is also what God is calling us to do as well. Having provided a way for us to come back into a right relationship with our Creator, we too must take on the assignment of being the light to the world for others to see what it means to be obedient people of God.
In this passage, Jesus is giving his Jewish listeners, who are leaders, an example of living the way God intended for others to see the difference in their lives. Good tree/ good fruit – bad tree/ bad fruit. People do recognize and see the difference, especially in the time period that Jesus is speaking to them about. Their examples are important for others to come to God.
In evaluating your example today, are you seeing anything in your life that needs correcting to be seen as a Chosen person? I think one of the big problems today is what we find in verse 36 and 37:
“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Are you speaking words of praise and encouragement for others today?
Author: Mickey Cox
Other Scriptures for today:
- Psalm 21
- Genesis 15:1-18
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