Luke 6:39-45 – “And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?  40 ” A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.  41 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  42 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.  43 ” For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit.  44 ” For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.  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

Jesus spared no words in this parable.  He made it clear that fruit is important in our lives and the absence of or type of fruit is a defining statement about who we are.  No one would think it normal or desired for the blind to be charged with leading the blind.  Likewise, the student is the one learning and the teacher is the one that has been trained and is dispensing information and knowledge.  If we are laden with sin and issues in our lives how dare, we think that we can be God’s designated “fruit inspectors” for others with the same or even lesser issues?

Jesus then turned to the subject of trees and fruit, and this is not a new topic to our Lord or the gospels, you find it in numerous places and each time there is a similar message and emphasis on its importance.  A “good tree” or a “righteous life” does not produce “bad fruit” or “a life of sin.”  You would not go to a thorn bush to look for figs or seek grapes in a briar patch because those plants by their very nature could not produce that fruit. 

The Lord brought his message to a climax in verse forty-five telling us that “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.”  What is in your deepest innermost being is what will make its way to the lips sooner or later.  You may hide it for a time but eventually, what you will call a slip will take place and the fruit of your lips will reveal the tree that you are. The overflow of the heart manifests itself in words.

I want to be a fig, not a thorn!  I want to be a grape, not a briar!  I want to produce “good treasure” not “evil.”  I want to manifest the love and lordship of Jesus not hate, bitterness, and the carnality of man.  I want to exhibit His righteousness, not my sinfulness.  This can only happen as I commit my entire being to Him and “seek Him first before and above everything.”  At that point, He will live His life through me and what comes out in my words and actions will manifest Him. 

That is my desire!  I pray like David in Psalm 51:10-13 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.  11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.  13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to you.” NASB

May the Lord be with you as you go through this day!