Fighter Verse Songs

Track 30 in Songs Set E – Matthew 7:17-20 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (Last week’s verse is also part of this song.  Matthew 7:15-16 – Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?)

Only the heart that is soft and loves God is able to bear good fruit.

Continuing from last week’s verse, false prophets bear bad fruit and will be shown for what they are by what they do.

The fruit that a tree bears tells what kind of tree it is.  The good works or bad works that come out of a person are the result of what is in their heart.

Is their heart a regenerate heart that has been given by God and has the Holy Spirit as a “Holy Heart Tenderizer?”  Is the person’s heart made soft and sensitive to God and others?  Is the person a child of God?  If so, the heart will overflow in good works, genuine  love and other fruits of the spirit.

Does the heart show that the person is a child of the devil?  Is the heart wicked to the core?   Is the heart diseased and full of evil intent?  If so, the Holy spirit is not present.  The heart is cold and feels no joy towards God.    The heart overflows in selfishness, pride and other evils.

You will know the heart by the overflow of the heart and it’s effect on others.  You will know Christians by their love.

Does the Christian still sin?  Can a Christian bear bad fruit season after season and still be a Christian?

I believe the answer is clear and encourage you to look to your Bible and discern this.

The last part of the verse is the most poignant . Every person who does not have a heart toward God that overflows in genuine love is destroyed.

What does your heart produce?  How does your heart show to the world?

Practical suggestions this week:

– Meditate upon this verse and pray for a fruitful heart.  If your heart does not overflow in joy for God, turn from your selfish desires and pray that He will change your heart and forgive you.

– Search out the doctrine of “progressive sanctification” and how it applies to your life.  Here is what CJ Mahaney has to say on it.

“Sanctification is a process – the process of becoming more like Christ, of growing in holiness.  This process begins the instant you are converted and will not end until you meet Jesus face-to-face.  Sanctification is about our own choices and behavior.  It involves work.  Empowered by God’s Spirit, we strive.  We fight sin.  We study Scripture and pray, even when we don’t feel like it.  We flee temptation.  We press on; we run hard in the pursuit of holiness.  And as we become more and more sanctified, the power of the gospel conforms us more and more closely, with ever-increasing clarity, to the image of Jesus Christ.”C.J. Mahaney

– Demonstrate this to your children.  Ask them how fruit is like the hearts of people.  Show them good fruit and bad fruit and ask which they would like?  Which is their heart?  You may be surprised by the answers they give.

How will you use this bible verse in your life this week? with your spouse? your children? your family? your neighbors?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAth5K5_fNo