No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
My husband, a prosecutor, says that most lawyers would rather represent criminals than divorcees because criminals are generally bad people on their best behavior and divorcees are generally good people on their worst behavior. But wouldn’t two Christians settle their divorce out of court and split their possessions 50/50? Or follow Jesus’ advice: “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” (Matthew 5:40) It’s when we’re under stress that we can’t fake what our hearts are full of.
Jesus’ love changes our hearts. I know He has improved mine. When I was a young mother, I didn’t have all the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). I lacked peace, patience, faithfulness (to God), gentleness, and self-control; at least when under pressure. Thirty years later I have all the Fruits except self-control. Jesus is helping me, but it’s a process, taking years to change my heart. I pray that I and all my readers will experience transformed hearts through this study of Luke.
Father God, help me change my heart to bear good fruit for you. Amen.
Jody, this is a good reminder to most people. It is difficult to respond well when your are under stress and pressure. I think that it is something that most people have to work at. I know that I do. The mouth speaks what the heart is full of, so true. However, most people lose their temper, make bad decisions, make the wrong choice, etc. many times in their lives. I don’t believe it makes them a bad person. Does the person recognize it and ask forgiveness? When I lose my temper, and say hurtful things and act in haste, I take note of what I did wrong and how I can try and do better next time. If you were a young mother, with all the knowledge you have now, you would still make mistakes while parenting. No one is perfect at any time in their life. We all lack peace, patience, faithfulness to God, gentleness, and self control. We all have moments when we say, I could have done that better. I don’t believe that any person can say that they have attained all the fruits. If you believe that, then I think that you open yourself to being very judgemental about others and their abilities to be a good wife, husband, parent, sister, aunt, uncle etc. Every person on Earth has their moments of being grouchy, sassy, being angry at their parent, spouse, child etc. When that happens I know that I pray I can always say I am sorry and ask for forgiveness because none of us are perfect.
Thanks for your comment. I need to rewrite this. I believe we can attain the fruits of the spirit. The problem with us humans is that our love is imperfect, and we won’t know how to love perfectly until we meet God in heaven. I guess you could say we won’t attain the fruit of love, but that sounds discouraging. I’d rather say we can attain the fruit of imperfect love. It is nice to have one Sis who can apologize. I’m so thankful for you. I hope I always apologize when you need me to, but please let me know when I don’t because I never want to hurt you. I know I have in the past and for that I am sorry! My ability to love is improving but will never on this earth be perfect.
We are humans and incapable of perfection. All we can do is try and do it better, when we know we can. Some view an apology as a weakness. I view it as strength and integrity. I know I have hurt you in the past, and I am so very sorry. I love you so much and I hate to hurt the people I love. Unfortunately, it is usually the ones we love that we hurt the most.
It makes me very sad that people can go to church every week and not understand repentance. Repentance has to come before salvation. We can’t have the power and strength of the Holy Spirit without it and then we are really weak. I know we will hurt each other in the future not meaning to. Always tell me right away when I’m hurting your feelings. I never mean to because I love you so much!