Devotions: What Kind of Tree Are You?

For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Luke 6:43-45 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

There are many kinds of trees. Some produce good fruit abundantly, some sparingly, some just produce bad fruit. But the fruit resembles the tree. We prove what kind of tree we are by how we act, what we say, what we think. And the kind of tree we are proves who our God is. If we are children of God, we will produce godly fruit. But if we don’t produce godly fruit, we should consider what is in our hearts, what influences are around us, and who we serve. If our hearts are predominantly selfish and prideful, if the major influences around us are ungodly, if we live to serve ourselves instead of God, there is reason to doubt our status with God. A tree produces what it is. Of course, no one is perfect, we all sin. But if are not bothered by our sin, if we have no desire or make no effort to be godly, if serving God seems burdensome and dreary to us, what proof do we have of the Holy Spirit inside us? Because the Spirit will convict us of sin, it gives us the desire and drive to be godly, and helps us serve God. Carefully consider what kind of tree you are? What needs to be done to become a tree that reflects God?