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.”
Matthew 12:36-37 NET
It would be easy to pull this passage out from its surrounding context and understand that God will judge me for my words, that I will have to give an accounting for every word I speak, both worthless and good. And that I might accidentally say something that would lead to my condemnation. But the larger context tells us a different story.
In Matthew 12:33, Jesus said a tree is known by its fruit. And in the following verse, he says that the mouth speaks from what fills the heart. Our words are simply a reflection of what is in our hearts. They are, at least in part, the fruit that we bear. Fruit that reveals the type of tree we are.
So, rather than being a matter of our words being judged, it is the heart behind them that stands in judgment. And, while not explicitly mentioned, this would also include our actions. They also reflect what is within us.
What Makes a Good Person?
In the immediate context, it is the good person who speaks good words and the evil person who speaks worthless words. But what distinguishes between the good person and the evil person?
In Romans 3:9-20, Paul provides a series of Old Testament quotations to show that all of us fall into the category of evil people, people who are separated from God. But then, in Romans 3:21-24, he tells us that a righteousness from God has been given, through faith in Christ Jesus, to all who believe.
What makes us a “good person” is not something we do. It is done for us when we believe in Christ Jesus. And our words and actions will reveal that change within. We will be like a new tree, producing fruit that glorifies our Lord and God.
So, what kind of a tree does your fruit reveal you to be? Are you producing good fruit that is pleasing to our Lord? Fruit that reveals a transformed life? Or does the fruit of your life tell a different story?
