Passage: Matthew 12:22-37
Points:
1. Jesus said, “if you are not with me, you are against me and he who does not gather with me, scatters.”
2. A tree is recognized by its fruit. “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”
3. By our words we will be “acquitted and by our words we will be condemned.”
Personalize
Jesus is under attack by the Pharisees. He is challenging their status qua and they are threatened by his knowledge and ministry. In their fear they begin to attack him at the core, claiming he is driving out demons through the devil’s power. They were totally off base and their words were far from the truth. Their words quickly showed the true nature of their heart of jealousy, bitterness, and pride. The verbal attacks revealed their agenda and their inward character.
What we speak reveals the nature of our heart. Do our words encourage and build up others, or do our words condemn and criticize others? Our answer to this question reveals the nature of our heart. If there is jealousy, anger, and bitterness; our words will be the same. No matter how hard we try to cover up our true character, it will always come through in times of stress and weakness. There is a heart and mouth connection. Our mouth will reveal the inward parts of our life. It is the conduit by which our true nature will flow. It will reveal either good or rotten fruit. We will be held accountable for the words we speak and the fruit we bear.
Prayer
Lord, may our lives reveal what You desire to be revealed. We pray You will transform our inner life, so we will demonstrate Your character in our outer life through the words we speak and the fruit we bear. When others hear our words, may they hear You and know we are being lead by You.
