Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 133 – Matthew 12:33-37 – Recognized By Its Fruit – Growing As Disciples

“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.  You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.  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.” Matthew 12:33-37 (NIV)

Fruit

What fruit is your life bearing? I’m not sure what you mean. Is your life bearing good or bad fruit? Can you be more specific? Yes, I can be more specific. Are your thoughts and words and actions, good and right and true? Are your thoughts and words and actions, helpful and healing? Are your thoughts and words and actions, uplifting and encouraging? Are your thoughts and words and actions building others up rather than tearing them down? Now, I understand what you are asking of me. Do you have an answer for me? To all your questions, I have one answer, I would have to say sometimes, maybe most the time, but not always. Occasionally, and maybe more frequently than that, something regrettable comes out of my mouth. I don’t know where these thoughtless and careless and regrettable words originate. I don’t know why these hurtful and harmful words come out of my mouth. I do. You do? Yes, I do. Whatever is in your heart, good or bad, will one day come spilling out of your life, in your thoughts and words and actions. So, does my heart need changing? Good question.  Yes, your heart needs changing. How will that happen? How can that be possible? Whatever you store in your heart will one day come out of your life, guaranteed, without a doubt, without any exceptions. What should I store in my heart? You tell me. I should store your word in my heart. Storing your word in my heart will change my heart. Storing your word in my heart will transform my mind. Storing your word in my heart will guide the course of my entire life. If your word is stored in me, it will always come spilling out of me. Your word will give me your thoughts to think, your words to speak and your actions to take. Your word will do its work in me so that I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, it will. Will you store my word in you? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I want my life to bear good fruit for your kingdom and glory. I want good thoughts and words and actions to overflow my life. I will store your word in my heart. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide the course of my entire life. Amen

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Promises – Day 133 – Matthew 12-33-37 – Recognized By Its Fruit – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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