Good Heart, Good Fruit

Today's reading: Luke 6:39-49, 7:1-10

'The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.' - Luke 6:45 ESV

"I didn't mean what I said" is an often overused statement. What we really are trying to communicate in those moments is, "I've been trying to hide how I really feel for so long, and I couldn't keep it in any longer!"

Jesus was not just a miraculous philanthropist. Every single word that came out of His mouth was (and is still) the bedrock truth. All that was in His heart flowed flawlessly from His mouth.

We, on the other hand, go to great links to justify our words and actions. We want to take the sting out of it. We would be better off in times of failure to ask God to drive all darkness and evil from the depths of who we are (our hearts). When we become Christians, a transaction was made; Jesus' blood for our sin. For the rest of our lives, God desires for us to enter the process of sanctification. This is the activity of God making us more and more like Jesus as we draw again and again from His deep waters of grace.

Have you said something you've regretted this week? Done something that you tried to explain away? Don't do this. Admit how bad it was, ask for forgiveness from others and God. Let God do the transforming work He's always wanted to do in your life.

Solomon wrote: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips” (Proverbs 4:23, 24).