Good Morning Friends,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you
in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you
will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from
thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad
fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good
fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the
fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)
Good preachers tell great stories. They know
how to keep people on the edge of their seats as they weave a tale.
Good preachers can bring a crowd to laughter
and to tears. They know how to pull on the strings of a person’s heart and have
them in the palm of their hand.
Good preachers keep their message well
organized. They move cleanly from point to point – great introduction, moving
conclusion, well thought out main points and smooth transitions between each
one.
But Jesus doesn’t say that any of those
characteristics of popular speakers is the key to discerning if they are worth
listening to. Jesus says that the primary key is not in the speaking at all,
but in the lifestyle of the one speaking. It’s not about the quality of the
speaker’s skill – it’s about the quality of the speaker’s heart.
The truth is that nothing we offer to God or to
other people is about the quality of our skill or training. The real
effectiveness of what we offer God and other people is the sincerity of our
heart.
So, check out the fruit of the life of those to
whom you listen. Check out the sincerity of your own heart, too.
His, by Grace, Steve
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