A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. -Matthew 7:18 ESV
I love the way this version uses healthy and diseased to represent the Greek words that are more precisely translated good and evil. It begs the question of whether an unregenerate person is, in a spiritual sense, healthy. Certainly the context (v23) of this verse reveals that the unhealthy person is one who does not know God and is not known by Him.
In his letter to the Galatians Paul speaks to us about what a healthy person looks like. The apostle tells us that a spiritual person is, and is becoming, loving, kind, joyful, gentle, patient, peaceful and faithful. These model goodness and self control. Such fruit can only be produced from a root system that is connected to God. Such is a healthy person.
Help us Father to draw strength and health from our spiritual root system. Cause us to be like your Son.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
Amen, Amen.
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