Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
g) Of Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-37)
MATTHEW 12:33-37
33 Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 35 The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure* brings out evil things. 36 I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Luke 6:43-45, James 3:6, Jude 15)
An apricot kernel will not produce a palm tree. It is evident that man’s behavior and words uncover his inner self. Your words express what is in your heart, whether it be anger or joy.
The heart is the root of the tree, the language is the fruit. If the nature of the tree be good, it will bring forth fruit accordingly. Where grace is the reigning principle in the heart, the language will be the language of edification. On the other hand, wherever lust reigns in the heart it will break out. Diseased lungs make for offensive breath. A person’s language reveals what country they are from, so likewise, a person’s actions reveals what manner of spirit they are of. Become of pure heart and then you will have pure lips and a pure life. Or “make the tree bad and its fruit bad.” You can make a crab tree into a good tree, by grafting into it a shoot from a good tree, and the fruit will be good. But if the tree stays the same, plant it where you will, and water it how you will, the fruit will still be corrupt. Unless the heart is transformed, the life will never be thoroughly reformed.
The Pharisees sought to hide their wicked thoughts about Jesus Christ. Christ intimates how futile it was for them to seek to hide that root of bitterness in them.
Who always says good things only? No one! For there is none that is and does good, no, not one. Evil thoughts, such as adultery, lewdness, murders, lying, stealing, arrogance, hatred and revenge come from our hearts. These thoughts form our words that reveal our corruption. Christ disclosed our situation saying, “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things?” Everyone that is not born of the Spirit of God shall be dominated by the devil to become one of his followers. Then he becomes filled with evil and spite, and no good thought or righteous act comes out of him.
Yet when Christ’s blood cleanses you, and the Holy Spirit enters into your heart, you become glad, warmhearted, pure, and a peace-maker. These fruits are not of you, but are a gift of the Spirit of God that works in you. Christ is the vine and we are the branches, and all good fruits that we bear are of Him, for He is the good treasure of our hearts.
Do not forget that God records every word that proceeds out of your mouth. As man is able to record private speeches between people by using recorders, so God is more able to know your suspicions, exaggerations, and impurities, and record them. In the final judgment you will be judged. You will hear every word you have said while on earth, before the Most Holy and others. You will be so overcome that you would prefer the earth open its mouth and swallow you rather than to be seen by others.
The constant manner of our speech, whether it is gracious or not gracious, will be evidence for or against us at the great day. Those who seemed to be religious, but did not bridle their tongue, will then be found to have compromised themselves with a vain religion (James 1:26).
But if you believe in the power of Christ’s blood, and confess all your sins, He, through His kindness, will wipe out all your evil words, as records are erased from a recording tape, and nothing will remain but your warm prayers, good testimonies, and constructive helpful words. Your faith appears in your words, and it justifies you in the great judgment. The wicked one will have neither power nor authority over you, for you have been united with Christ who has taken away your sins. He has justified you without charge and purified you completely. Do you thank Him?
PRAYER: We glorify You, Lord Jesus, because You forgive us for all our wrong words and faults, and clean our inner feeling so that we may think clean thoughts, love all men, even our enemies, and live in peace. Keep us from pride and from opposing Your Spirit. Help us to obey You and do Your will in our daily life.
QUESTION:
- Who are the brood of vipers? And who is a good man?