Matthew 12:33-37

“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 known by its fruit. Offspring of vipers! How are you able to say anything good, since you are evil? For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart. The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury. I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

This is part of Jesus’ response, knowing the Pharisees hearts, right after they accuse Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. Each one of us has varying levels of good and evil battling for priority in our hearts. Saved by grace through faith in Christ, this internal struggle rages on inside of us. In fact, it is only because of the grace of God that we recognize this battle at all. However, once we recognize the battle accurately, we can call it what it is and rely on the power of God bring us through. The difference maker is whether we choose to speak from the good or the evil stored in our hearts. Holy Spirit, help us as we attempt to speak the hope and truth of Jesus Christ to others. Lead us in discerning the state of our own hearts and press us toward speaking from the good God has stored up in our hearts.