Empty Words & Rotten Fruit

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.  Blaise Pascal

Have you ever used empty words?  These are words that shouldn’t be said or words that are used to break others down.  We are becoming a society that uses empty words on a daily basis.

I like the analogy of the tree and its fruit found in Matthew 12:33-37.  This passage talks about the tree and the type of fruit it produces.  It also says that a tree is known by its fruit.  This always reminds me of my quince tree.  It produces fruit the size of a large softball but it is hard as a brick.  When the tree is producing fruit it looks like huge green apples.  The problem is you would need a chain saw to cut one open.

We are often like this fruit producing tree.  Sometimes the fruit we produce is rotten in the center.  It is like when you find a worm in the center of the fruit.  It is so lovely on the outside, but the inside is rotten. 

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have said things I have regretted and produced rotten fruit.  To be honest with you, this really scares me.  On the day of judgment, I am going to have to account for every harsh, mean, sarcastic and unloving word I have ever said in my life. 

Picture this.  You are escorted up to the throne of Jesus, and being Jesus He knows every word I have ever said to hurt someone or break them down.  In that moment I will either be justified or condemned.  When it is put in that context, I have a lot of work to do.  Empty words are just that.  They don’t edify or build anyone up and on the day of judgment I will answer for each and every piece of rotten fruit I produce.    

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, there are times when I use empty words as a tool to harm others.  I am not glorifying you when it happens and I will answer for every word.  The tongue is often the most harmful muscle in our body and sometimes it is overused. Help me to use it for your glory.  

Scripture: A Tree Known by Its Fruit

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.  Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:33-37