“You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds. Luke 6:43-45 MSG
Are you trying to be someone you are not? Sooner or later you will be exposed just for who you are. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds. So be careful—as your “fruit” will reveal who you truly are.
Well, Jesus gives us an analogy in Luke 6 using a common apple tree. When you bite into what you think is going to be a delicious, refreshing apple, only to expose worms, you know that apple is diseased. And the only way it became diseased is by being attached to a diseased apple tree. (Remember, the old saying “What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple? Finding half of a worm. Ha! Sorry…)
Wormy apples are not picked from a healthy tree. Conversely, good apples are not picked from a diseased tree.
The wormy apple did not make itself wormy. It can’t. It is attached to the tree so hopefully it can grow and flourish—just because it is attached to the vine. Sadly, it is attached to a diseased tree. So the result of the fruit of that tree is diseased—wormy—of no good taste or nutritional use.
The healthy apple did not make itself healthy. It can’t. It is attached to the tree so hopefully it can grow and flourish…just because it is attached to the vine. Joyfully, it is attached to a thriving, healthy tree, so the result of the fruit of that tree is DELICIOUS…healthy…tasty and of great nutritional value.
The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. The apple that is attached to a diseased tree cannot pretend to be healthy. And the apple that is attached to the healthy tree cannot be diseased.
The all-important question then is, “What tree are you attached to?” It’s easy to know. Check your fruit. Are you full of worms? Or are you full of health?
One is trying to please yourself and others; pursuing to get ahead; attracted to the world. The other is trying to please God alone; getting to know Him more; what is important to Him is important to you.
That’s your true self revealed. You can’t fake that. It’s WHO you are, not what you say or do that counts. Your true being (the health of the apple) brims over (spills over from the inside-out) into true words and deeds.
Why don’t you take some time right now to do an inventory of your fruit. Is it healthy or diseased? Confess it to God. He knows already and is waiting for you. He desires for you to be healthy in Him.
Don’t you want to live the tasty, delicious life so that others may take a “bite” out of you…and they just might “taste and see that the LORD is good.” Of course, they will! You’re attached to His tree!
