(Matthew 12:33-37) "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
This is about it here. Accusation after accusation against Christ, and the disciples.
Christ referring to satan's beginnings as the tree of knowledge of good and evil setting the standard (we are called trees up and down Scripture). As we are not to take in their fruit. That is look upon as edible, then going for it, and then consuming and digesting it (this is a thought out decision). Once you take in some bad fruit, not knowing it's bad for you but think it's good for you. Your in trouble. Who goes and picks a rotten out apple that's been softened, with holes and worms. Christ warned over and over again not to take in the doctrine of those who call themselves "jews', and are not. Why would you? Because so and so false preacher says they are God's chosen? Revelation 2:9; 3:9. Christ says they are not. Just as these pharisees.
satan was himself in the garden of Eden in them roles. Not a literal talking tree, and not a literal serpent. But them are his characteristics.
(Genesis 2:17) "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
Fruits are the results of the health of the tree (the origin--the heart). Getting enough water (Christ the living water) and sunlight (The light of the world)?
34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
You off spring of the serpent (going back to Genesis 3:15 written they would crucify Christ. The mouth is the "spokesperson" of the heart, showing the condition.
35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Treasure = What they have in store, and in store for you. Where their valuables are kept. Locked away and what is near and dear to them. This also speaks to belief/repentance. When a person loses the treasure they held near and dear to them it's painful. "Oh, my money, my money."
However, after awhile most (not all) people come to a degree of acceptance of losing it. With Christ we have to give up all. Denying ourselves, and acceptance will come.
36But I say unto you, That every idle (lazy, without purpose on the job) word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
(We do this we need to repent. Essentially wasting time the Lord gave us not being good and faithful stewards. But we see it begins with the heart. That which is not done in faith is sin).
37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
(Justified = Rendered righteous. Well I thought my works don't justify me? But the cross? That's right. and which is why Christ began with the heart, then the results here).
(Righteousness = The condition acceptable to God (grace through faith). The doing right (works). Simple cause and effect. As we have also been over the study faith by works. We'll put it in the comment box below).
(James 2:14) "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
(Christ went over this over and over about servants who misuse and abuse what the Lord has given them. They just sit there and do nothing they are evil and wicked in some parables. Christ puts you in charge of that treasury and you going to steal? What He's given? Yeah, so did Judas in action. The unprofitable servant Matthew 25:14-30. Not being good stewards).
Like giving your children a gift to share with the other children but they say no. What does the parent say? A spanking? Your grounded? Very, very, selfish kid and we want them to learn to begin to share. But it's going to take a little correction through punishment.
Well, how much more with the Lord. You can surely expect chastisement (He chastises those He loves) trying to correct behavior, and if that don't work there is nothing left.
(James 2:18-20) "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
(They will naturally be there, a given).
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
(The word believe here from the Greek means they believe He exists, of course).
20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead"?
(Just like the dead walking evil spirits).
Another amazing parable that covers this in reference, But a different angle. Important because this is dealing with the hour of temptation. Those for that "one hour." Who will come out of the tribulation. And not having the entitled attitude (verse 10-11). The hour of temptation is of course when satan claims to be Christ/God.
(Matthew 20:1-16) "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."
Amen †
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