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Human Responsibility

Text: Matthew 12 : 22 - 37

The study of the doctrine is always very sobering. We realize that we have no one to blame at all when we sin. We are to be held responsible for our sinful action! This was made very clear in this statement that Jesus made.

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good,
Or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad;
For a tree is known by its fruit.”
MATTHEW 12:33

“Make the tree good and its fruit good…”

What did Jesus mean when He said this? Let us ponder the significance of this statement. The irreducible minimum is that we are responsible for the kind of fruit that a tree produces. If we take care of the ground, if we provide the tree with all that it needs, then logically it will produce good fruit.

“Make the tree bad and its fruit bad…”

This is the other side of the coin. If a life, compared to a tree, produces bad fruit, the individual must be prepared to take full responsibility. The evil that man does is a result of his own individual efforts! No one likes to think that he creates evil, yet he cannot escape the reality of the consequences of his actions!

THE TREE AND FRUIT ANALOGY

Jesus had already spoken on this subject. Let us recall what He had spoken on this same subject.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s
clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes
from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every
good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree
bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good
fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
MATTHEW 7:15-20

Where once Jesus spoke in general terms, now He applied it to the Pharisees! Their wicked ways had known no bounds. They had maliciously spoken blasphemy against Jesus and against the Holy Spirit, when they went about spreading malicious lies about how Jesus was in league with Beelzebub. The multitudes must be warned against these wicked men. They must not be allowed to go unchecked in their wicked ways!

REINFORCING THE TREE AND FRUIT ANALOGY

In order to make things even clearer, Jesus went on to illustrate what He taught by giving another analogy.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the
evil treasure brings forth evil things.”
MATTHEW 12:35

How should we understand these words? Let us ponder the following thoughts.

1. Evil is not just associated with the devil

Of course evil is associated with Satan the devil. However, it is not true that evil is limited to the works of the devil. The sinful human being is as capable of creating evil!

2. Evil is not abstract

Evil is not abstract at all. Evil thoughts result in evil deeds. Man is quite capable of thinking and producing evil thoughts all by himself.

3. Evil is not external

Evil is a terrible thing to possess. It is something that lurks within the heart of man. Given half the chance, evil will rear its ugly head and strike like a deadly venomous snake!

4. The human heart is capable of both good and evil

a) Where there is a focus on developing good thoughts

When the individual focuses on thinking good thoughts, he will produce good and pleasant fruits.

b) Where there is a focus on thinking bad thoughts

When the heart chooses to dwell on bad thoughts, it becomes very corrupt before too long!

5. Cause and effect logic

Jesus employed a logic that was common knowledge to all. Cause and effect was a truth that even the very simple can understand and appreciate! Does one desire to know the true state of the heart? There would be no need to look very far or very deep. The actions of a person would reveal the best kept secrets of the heart! If there were evil in the heart, it would reveal itself in evil words and deeds.

Jesus both warned and appealed to all to check the state of the heart! If there is indeed evil, there must be repentance and effort must be made to seek forgiveness. We will be held responsible for our actions ultimately! What is the true state of our heart?