“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.” (Matthew 12:33)

We have been studying “fruit bearing.” We have learned in the two previous devotions that a tree cannot bear good fruit and corrupt fruit at the same time; no more than a fountain can send forth in the same place sweet water and bitter water. We will either bear good fruit or corrupt; sweet water or bitter.

We have also learned that there are some Christians who are not bearing any fruit at all. It all boils down to one thing – a heart issue. Whatever seeds you allow to be planted in your heart determines the kind of fruit you bear.

Let’s look at what Jesus told the Pharisees and Scribes when they questioned Him as to why His disciples transgressed the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands when they ate bread. Jesus addressed the crowd, telling them that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of it. Jesus then said in Matthew 15:19-20a:

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man…”

If these things are in your heart, then you are bearing corrupt fruit. These are not, and should not be, the thoughts of a professing Christian. If you are truly abiding in Christ and He abides in you, then you will bear much fruit (see John 15:1-5); and not only that, but good fruit. We must have the Spirit of God living in us to bear good fruit.

What is the fruit of the Spirit? We will discuss the fruit of the Spirit in our next devotional message.

The Bible also makes it perfectly clear that if you sow to the flesh, you shall “of the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:8). (See also Galatians 5:19-21.)

There are many things that can hinder the Child of God from bearing fruit. Matthew 13:18-23 gives us the reasons why. Have you had your heart cultivated, or renewed, that you may bear good fruit? (See Luke 13:6-9.) Are the cares of the world hindering you? Has the wicked one stolen away the Word of God from your heart?

What is hindering you from bearing good fruit?