Luke 6:45 – “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”  NASB

Have you ever noticed that you cannot hide the fruit of the tree?  Have you noticed that although you call it a peach tree, if it is bearing pecans, everyone knows it is not a peach tree?  Many people call themselves various things but sometimes the fruit produced in the life belies that description.  We are what we produce not what we would like to produce.

We may conceal what is in our minds, but what is in our hearts will ultimately make its way to the outward and be revealed.  This passage makes a simplistic but incredibly true declaration – “A good man produces good out of the good treasure of his heart.”  I could say it this way and hopefully, it will resonate.  “What we do is reflective of what is truly in our hearts.”

I realize that some continually seek to earn their way into heaven and the hearts of others by what they do. That may work, for a time, with some people but ultimately the condition of the heart will prevail and reveal what is really on the inside.  It never works with God! Jesus said, in Matthew 15:18 that what we speak is reflective of what is in our hearts.  By hearts, we do not mean the organ that pumps blood but the seat of the soul, who we are.  It is our character, our makeup, our person.  It is the me that is me.  It is who I am.

If evil thoughts are in my heart, my life will reflect those thoughts.  I may be charitable to a point, but when I deem it too costly, I will cease and reveal that my heart is not a heart of charity but opportunity and edge.  I had a man tell me that he suddenly was overcome with temptation and had an affair with a woman at work.  As we discussed the situation, we discovered that it began with playful flirtation, then entertaining thoughts of possibility, and ultimately those little thoughts and actions overpowered his ability to resist and he succumbed.  It was not sudden it was gradual and was the result of what he had allowed in his heart.  Another reason to learn to and demand that every thought bow to Jesus and is brought into captivity.

Our lives are like fruit trees and whatever is in the heart will be the fruit that is produced.  Job said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes…”  (Job 31:1).  The writer of Proverbs gives incredible counsel in 4:23, 25-36 – “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.  Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.  Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.  Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”  The heart’s condition determines if we produce good or bad fruit.  The heart reveals what kind of tree we are and like trees, we are to be the planting of the LORD.

I encourage you to never allow a wicked thought to remain.  You cannot keep thoughts and temptations from coming into your mind, but you can refuse to allow them to stay.  Immediately reject all thoughts that do not bring honor to God. 

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him.