The Fruit Reveals the Root
For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by it’s own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor does they gather grapes from bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. - Luke 6:43-45
As I look out into our yard, our mulberry tree is in full bloom. It’s branches are heavy with fruit, and our kids - with purple stained hands and and happy hearts - delight in collecting and eating from the bountiful harvest. Year after year, this tree produces without strain, because it’s simply what a mulberry tree does.
Jesus is teaching in what’s often called the “Sermon on the Plain.” After some beatitudes, a pronouncement of woes, the startling command to love you enemies, and instructions on judging others, we get to our section. Here Jesus is calling out the hypocrisy of outward religion without inward transformation. He’s not telling us to try harder to produce good fruit - He’s telling us to examine the roots of our tree: the heart.
Jesus said, “For a good tree doesn’t bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit… For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:43, 45). Just as we identify the mulberry tree by it’s berries, so we are revealed by the words we speak and the deeds we do.
When Samuel went to anoint a king in Jesse’s house back in 1 Samuel 16:7, he looked at Elian and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” But the Lord corrected him: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God doesn’t judge by external appearances or polished words. He sees the root - He sees what’s inside. And over time, so will everyone else, because The fruit always exposes the root.
Just like our mulberry, our lives naturally yield what we have planted and watered. If our hearts are rooted in Jesus, filled with His Word and the Holy Spirit, the fruit will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Galatians 5:22-23). But if our hearts harbor pride, selfishness, or anger, those “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21) will show in our tone, our words and our reactions.
What grows in our lives depends on what we’re feeding and watering in our hearts.
Today, let’s take a moment to do what 2 Corinthians 13:5 says: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”
What kind of fruit are people picking from our lives?
Does it reflect the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23?
If not, don’t just try producing better fruit - tend to your heart. Ask the Lord to cleanse, restore, and refill you. Trust that good trees, rooted in Christ and the Word, will naturally near good fruit.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word that reveals not just what we do, but who we are. Just a tree is known by it’s fruit, You’ve reminded me today to look beneath the surface - into my heart. Help me to stay rooted in You, abiding daily in Your presence, drawing life from Your Word, and yielding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Continue to shape me into Your likeness. In Jesus name, Amen.
