Jun 26: Matthew 7:15-20
Key Verse: Matthew 7:17
Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Devotion:
How many times have you been told to not judge a book by its cover? Is this telling us otherwise? No, this is telling us a different story, one where we should judge the book by what it produces, not by what is on the cover. If you can imagine a cookery book which has flashy pictures on the cover showing you wonderful looking food; but when you open it up and read and follow the recipes, they do not produce anything like what is on the cover!
This is the false prophet which is being talked about here – not the pictures on the outside, but the difference between the pictures it says will be the product of the recipes, and the actual recipes!
Jesus wants us to be honest about who we are and what we can do. There is nothing good about telling people you can do all manner of good things if you are not going to actually do them! Jesus wants disciples who will be willing to do what they say they can!
Jesus always told the truth and made sure people could depend on what He said. This is the action we should be aiming for – to be able to tell people what we can do for them and to carry out those tasks so they know they can trust you!
Points to Ponder:
Do you talk the talk?
Do you walk the walk?