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In the verses just prior to today's study passage, Jesus was slammed by the Pharisees; they said he received his ability to cast out demons from the head demon—Satan himself. Bad words like that, Jesus responded, came from bad hearts. It's clear that Christ wasn't telling his disciples to steer clear of any talk that some might find offensive. After all, in this heated exchange, he called his opponents a "brood of snakes." He was, quite literally, pushing his disciples to get to the heart of the matter.

Matthew 12: 33-37

1. What fruit was Jesus talking about in this encounter with the religious leaders? (See v. 35.)
   
2. Can you recall a time when someone's unguarded words tipped you off to his true character?
   
3. In Matthew 7:16-18, Jesus gave examples of the principle stated in verse 33: A thornbush can't bear grapes, and a thistle can't bear figs. What does this tell us about superficial efforts to clean up our language?
   
4. How can we make real and lasting changes in the way we talk? (See Matt. 5: 8; Ps. 51: 10; Ezek. 36: 26; Eph. 5: 17-20; Gal. 5: 16.)
   

Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives so that your speech will flow from a pure heart.

Matthew 12: 33-37

33 "A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."

Copyright © 2010 by the author or Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Prayer for the Week

Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.—David (Psalm 141:3)

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