When the Lord wants to teach us a principal, don’t be surprised if we find it on every page in the Bible.
“A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. ” Matthew 7:17-18 CEV
We will always be in a state of fruit production. We are destined to be fruit producers. Sometimes are fruit can be a little sour because it is fully ripened but that doesn’t mean our fruit is bad. However, there are some trees that do produce bad fruit.
Take for example the ornamental orange trees that grow in Arizona. The branches are thorny, and the fruit is so sour that not even the wild animals will eat it. It looks beautiful hanging there on the branch, so inviting, but do not eat it.
Kind of reminds me of some people. They look good but once you begin to listen to them talk and see their actions you know they aren’t. Remember, we had already discussed the verses Jesus taught, “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”.
The Apostle Paul had a similar warning in his letter to the Christians living in Corinth.
“Don’t be fooled: ‘Bad friends will ruin good habits.’” I Corinthians 15:33 ERV
Such good advice. We need wisdom in establishing relationships and business associations. The following words come from King David; he made these statements about his closest advisors and friends.
“I will sing to you, Lord! I will celebrate your kindness and your justice. 2 Please help me learn to do the right thing, and I will be honest and fair in my own kingdom. 3 I refuse to be corrupt or to take part in anything crooked, 4 and I won’t be dishonest or deceitful.5 Anyone who spreads gossip will be silenced; no one who is conceited will be my friend.
6 I will find trustworthy people to serve as my advisors; only an honest person will serve as an official.7 No one who cheats or lies will have a position in my royal court. 8 Each morning I will silence any lawbreakers I find in the countryside or in the city of the Lord.” Psalm 101 CEV
Such good advice.
“If you want good fruit, you must make the tree good. If your tree is not good, it will have bad fruit. A tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces.” Matthew 12:33 ERV
I am so thankful that God’s word has given us “good seed” and the Holy Spirit is in us to produce good fruit.
