James 3:12, “My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water”.
What fills our hearts? Whatever is inside us will determine the fruit we produce.
Jesus said (Luke 6:45), “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” therefore “The words you speak will all depend on what’s filling your heart.”
A critical heart produces a critical tongue.
A self-righteous heart produces a judgemental tongue.
A bitter heart produces a hurtful tongue.
An ungrateful heart produces a grumbling tongue.
But…
A loving heart produces a gracious tongue.
A faithful heart produces a truthful tongue.
A peaceful heart produces a reconciling tongue.
A trusting heart produces an encouraging tongue…So fill your heart by soaking in your Bible.
This week, soak in Matthew 5, or Romans 12, or 1 Corinthians 13, or Philippians 2.
Be very careful about taking in the words of death and strife that the world so readily gives us in the media.
For “we are from God and we believe in his Son, Jesus, the Word” – John 1:1,
“the truth and the life” – John 14:6,
and who alone has “the words of eternal life” – John 6:68.
As the saying goes `you are what you eat`, the same goes for our hearts. Feed your heart with healthy and nourishing food from God’s Word and you will bear good fruit.
Christine Mudenha
A daily devotion for a better way of living.