Luke 6:43-44 (ESV)
[43] “For no good tree bears bad
fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, [44] for each tree is known
by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes
picked from a bramble bush.
These verses are often quoted when judging others. We reason, “Jesus said that we will know them by their fruit.” But that is the exact opposite of his intended meaning. Jesus just told his disciples not to judge, then he says a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. He concludes with these words, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” In other words, he is talking about what his followers are saying. This paragraph is not justifying judging others by their actions. It is about judging our own words. If we are judging, condemning, not forgiving, and pointing out others’ faults, what does that say about our own hearts?
It is amazing to me how often we turn the Scriptures around and use them to judge others when they are intended to drill into our own hearts. He just said to love our enemies, to forgive, and to take the beam out of our own eyes. We give lip service to these instructions and then turn this paragraph into justification for doing the very thing he told us not to do. How do I know this? The very next verse says, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Lk 6:46). Maybe we should listen better, talk less, and take to heart what Jesus is saying.
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