Check your Cargo

Scripture:

Matthew 12:33-36 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. (34) You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. (35) The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (36) But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

Observation:

Jesus reminds us that what we say reveals what is in our heart. What kinds of words come from your mouth? That is an indication of what is in your heart. You can't solve your heart problem, however, just by cleaning up your speech. You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives; then your speech will be cleansed at its source.

Application:

It was the end of World War II, and the city of Berlin was being divided up by the allies. Now, the East Berliners, in what was to become Communist Berlin, drove a dump truck over to the west side to free Berlin. It was filled with garbage, and they just let it all be dumped out and then they drove away. Nice, huh?

Well, the people from West Berlin said, "OK, two can play this game." So they thought, "We'll pick up all that garbage, we'll put it in our truck and we'll dump it right back on the east side." They thought again about that, and they decided maybe that wasn't the best way to handle it. So, instead, they filled the dump truck, but they filled it with canned goods and non-perishable food items. Then they drove the truck over to the east side of Berlin, stacked all the food neatly, and put a little sign beside it. Here's what it said: "Each gives what he has to give."

As I read the text for today, and this story I asked myself "What am I carrying around inside of me?" What kind of fruit am I reaping? To find the answer to this, listen to the words that you speak on a regular basis.

Are they angry words? Bitter words? Hurtful words? Revengeful words? Lying words? Or are they life giving words? Forgiving words? Healing words?

It is imperative for every child of God to take a look at the type of "cargo" they are carrying around. I don't want to dump "garbage" on anyone. It hurts my testimony for Christ and we all will give an account for the words we speak on judgment day. Blessings

Prayer:

"Lord, please forgive me for the times I have been careless in the Words that I have spoken. I need to examine daily the cargo I am carrying around inside of me. Because the cargo I carry will effect others today. I want to speak life not death. Forgiveness not unforgiveness. Healing not bitterness. Hope not despair. Thank you Holy Spirit for examining my heart this morning. In Jesus' name, amen!"