Good Fruit or Bad Fruit?

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.  People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."  Luke 6:43 to 45

I am reminded of a pear tree that has been growing in my yard for years.  This tree has never looked very "good" or healthy and has only produced a couple of pears over the years.  These few pears were gnarly and unedible (I really need to cut this tree down - it is a waste of space).  If this tree was strong and vigorous and still produced distorted fruit then I would be shocked - but since it looks bad I expect it to produces bad fruit. 

It's the same with people - Good conduct can only come from a good heart.  I'm sure we've all heard that old saying "actions speak louder than words" - well, our actions show others what is truly in our heart.  Good fruit from a bad tree is the same as saying good deeds from a bad man.

Also, there is the fruit tree that produces fruit that looks perfect but when you cut it open it is mushy, rotted and unedible.  I'm also sure that we all can think of somebody who performed a deed that seemed "good" at the time but then later, when that action was cut open or tested, the true selfish motive was learned.

Through our actions our heart is open for everyone to see what's inside.  If Jesus fills your heart then only good fruit should overflow.  Let us pay attention to our actions and motives this week.