“If you make the tree good, its fruit will be good; and if you make a tree bad,
its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.”
-Matt 12:33
I never really studied this verse carefully. I was struck why its says “make the tree…” How can one make a tree good or bad? Obviously, the LORD YESHUA was not talking about a tree but alluding to a tree like a person. If so, He is saying that a third party can influence a person to go bad or good. Ultimately, you will know who influenced him by his lifestyle.
What is good and what is bad? Sounds like such a simple question but you might be surprised how many people today are hazy about the concept of good and bad. According to the LORD YESHUA, you will know what is good and what is bad by determining who influenced the character trait in the first place. The dead giveaway is the fruit of his mouth and his actions.
In the world, there are only two influencers that really matter. First, we have the infamous old Serpent popularly known as Satan. The LORD YESHUA called him the father of all liars and a murderer. When he speaks, he speaks from his very nature – evil. He is also known as the Accuser of the brethren. He imitates the practices of the Kingdom of GOD and turns it upside down. In the kingdom of darkness, the citizens are motivated by fear and live in bondage. They practice deceit and are very clever in devising wicked plans to foster their wickedness. They claim earth as their own and all its treasures. Satan even had the audacity to lie to the LORD YESHUA by claiming that all the kingdoms of the world and all its glory belong to him (Matt 4:8,9). The enemy is very fond of using the Scriptures, adulterate it with a lie; and offer it to people, especially believers, to deceive them to a mutually beneficial relationship. All who believe the devil will never get any eternal benefit but only temporary. The devil is especially expert in inflicting pain and calamity, making it look like it was GOD who did it.
The second influencer and only transformer is the HOLY SPIRIT. The LORD YESHUA said, “…no one is good except GOD alone!” (Mk 10:18). The third Person of the GODHEAD will only teach what is good and righteous and perfect. He is holy and will never lead anyone to anything that will defile them. Where the SPIRIT is, there is freedom - freedom to do the will of GOD and prosper. His ways are gentle and meek and He will take us by the hand so we will not stumble and will never let go. He guides us to walk by faith working through love. He teaches and reveals the Scriptures to us so that the Word becomes reality in our lives as we practice it. He highlights the promises of GOD that we need for the day as we meditate on the Scriptures so that we may be partakers of His divine nature through trusting in His faithfulness. He takes us through trials, providing the strength through hope and joy so that we do not become weary but go from strength to strength. He teaches us the Truth so that we will be set free to love ADONAI ELOHIM. He makes us know that “heaven belongs to ADONAI, but the earth He has given to humankind” (Ps 115:16). BUT most of all, the HOLY SPIRIT points our focus on the only true GOD, YHWH, to whom all the honor, glory and dominion belongs!
Whose voice do you listen to? Do you know Him enough to know which spirit or SPIRIT is talking to you? The LORD YESHUA said, “By their fruit you shall know them.” When the disciples of John the Baptist asked YESHUA, “Are you the Messiah or shall we look for another one?” He replied, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind received sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them” (Matt 11:3-5). The badge of Truth always comes with the power of ADONAI ELOHIM to deliver those who are in bondage, physically and spiritually.
When you hear the Truth, it shall set you free!
מלאך
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