I've been reading the book of Luke over again. Which I truly enjoy because even though Luke never walked personally with Jesus, he recored things from the first apostles and what their walk with Jesus was like.

I was reading chapter 6 last night and we all may or may not be familiar with the bearing of the tree and yielding good fruit, but last night the Holy Spirit would not let me pass this chapter and verse! 

-Luke 6:45 (A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bears what is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bears what is evil. For of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.)

Like how self checking is this verse I mean like come on Jesus!!! This made me sit with myself for a minute to really allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten my understand of what Jesus meant here. The word treasure in the Hebrew means "Yaqar" which means "Valuable". In Webster's dictionary the word valuable means (Having value or worth; having some good qualities which are useful and esteemed; precious) So basically what Jesus was saying was out of the good qualities of the heart is how a man brings forth good physical, mental, and spiritual actions. To bear means to bring forth and fruit literally means "the result of". So what's on the inner part (the heart) of a person is what and who you really are which is the (spiritual) part and that's what determines the action you bring forth out the mouth in the (physical.) Jesus was truly putting a mark on the importance of the inner work being done first and then the result of the outer work next. 

This verse literally cross references into what Jeremiah was saying in the 17th chapter! "The LORD searches the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve- Jer 17:10! This is why the heart is valuable and the renewing of the mind in essential, because it is God who searches the heart and examines the mind to give to each person what is deserved. We can fool people all day but we can NEVER fool God because He knows the true inner parts of us. The mouth speaks out what the heart is full of! If you ever want to know who a person truly is "JUDGE THE FRUIT" ! Period! and before we start thinking "we're not suppose to judge" you are correct we are not suppose to judge but even Jesus taught to judge righteously. When dealing with the pharisees he judged the inner part of what their heart was and thoughts was in their heart toward the kingdom of God. This is why Simeon said to Mary Jesus mother. He comes so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed- Luke 2:35. So of course we always want to check ourselves first but don't turn a blind eye to the fruit in the inner and outer parts people show you. 

Growing in Christ is realizing every part of us has to be surrendered and submitted to His ways. Building character in Christ Jesus is allowing the deceit and wickness to be cleansed out of our hearts everyday and how do we do that??? RELATIONSHIP! Close fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Once you create that relationship then you began to bring forth the results of the Holy Spirit living inside of you. Which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control- Galatians 5:22-23. We can not bear what is good aside from the Holy Spirit! Once He transforms the inner parts of our hearts than the physical the outer parts flow abundantly with good results in our everyday life. This is a daily living lifestyle with Jesus that's not a quick work but a total dependance on Him. 

So I encourage you today, don't be afraid to take into prayer the inner parts of yourself to share with Jesus. He wants you to come and be bare showing the fruit that lives in your heart that He may transform it and give you life and life more abundantly. 

Until next time, with all Love & Blessings- Pure Pioneer