Are you a good tree or a bad tree? That question came up in one of the many confrontations Jesus had with the Pharisees. In this particular one, they accused Him of casting out demons by the ruler of the demons. While He was soundly rebuking them, He made a couple of statements we need to consider. “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who doesn’t gather with Me, scatters abroad.” Many people, priests, and pastors have done much harm in the name of Christianity. They have caused many to be “scattered abroad” most likely never to return to the Lord. Are you a gatherer or a scattered? You are either on the Lord’s side or you’re not, there is no middle ground. You can’t straddle a picket fence. Next, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words define us. What words fill your mouth; words of encouragement, kindness, praise or words of criticism, coarseness, controversy? We are meant to be good trees bearing good fruit with nary a doubt of whose side we are on. Granted every piece of fruit we produce may not be perfect, we will always be in need of pruning, but strive to be that good tree. Want a little inspiration? Remember the bad trees will be cut down and thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Makes a little pruning sound pretty good!
Good Tree, Bad Tree