43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:43-45 KJV)
A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit
A person’s words and actions reflect the condition of their heart. “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit” (Luke 6:43-44). A truly good person, even if not perfect, does not live in corrupt ways. If a person is characterized by drunkenness, sexual sin, dishonesty, or injustice, their heart is not right. Thorns don’t produce figs, and brambles don’t produce grapes. A good life generally flows from a good heart, just as evil behavior flows from a corrupt heart (Isaiah 32:6; 1 Samuel 24:13).
“The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:34-35). A heart full of love for God overflows with good words and actions, enriching others. But a heart ruled by worldliness continually produces evil. Like drawing from a vessel, what comes out reveals what’s inside (John 2:8). While even a good person may sometimes say something wrong, and a wicked person may speak good to serve bad motives, what we say most often shows what fills our heart (John 3:31). So, we must fill our hearts not only with good but with abundance of it.