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last study was about a sin that cannot be forgiven. It is a sin that
some of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day committed. It is called
the unforgivable sin, and it is a sin that some can commit today if they
credit the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ ministry to the demonic.
That is, if they believe that the wonders, powers, and miracles performed
by Jesus were performed by demonic power, then they have committed the
unpardonable sin. The Pharisees came to this conclusion after watching
Jesus perform many miracles and wonders. Since they were unwilling to
accept the possibility that Jesus was God, they concluded that He was
demon-possessed. What a tragic conclusion! Today some refuse to accept
the possibility that Jesus is God too. As a result Jesus is called a
wise man, a fictitious historical character, or a prophet. Those who
hold such views have not committed the unpardonable sin, but they are
headed in the wrong direction nevertheless. Words and Character. When we come to this
study (Matt. 12:33-45), we find Jesus sharing an illustration. This one
explains why people commit the unpardonable sin.
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. (NASB) Matt. 12:33 The illustration is simple. It reveals that every man and woman is
like a good or a bad tree. The Greek word that Jesus uses for “bad” is
SAPRON. The word does not just refer to “bad,” such as evil
versus good. The word refers to something that is rotten: in this case,
a rotten tree. It is an ugly word. Rotten trees do not produce good fruit
or any fruit at all. If such trees do produce fruit, it is bland, tasteless,
sour, or unappealing. But good trees produce beautiful, delicious fruit.
When Jesus said, “Either make the tree good . . . or make the
tree bad . . .” He was indicating that everyone, including the
Pharisees, has a choice. Every moment of each day we choose to be good
or rotten. Our words and actions will reveal our hearts and show others
that we are good or rotten trees. Our words and actions are either bland,
tasteless, unappealing and evil or they are beautiful, delicious and
holy. A bad tree can pretend to be a good tree, but its fruit will eventually
reveal that is a rotten one.
God has told us throughout the scriptures that who we truly
are is not our outward appearance and behavior but what we are on the
inside.
For as he thinks within himself, so he is. . . (NASB) Prov. 23:7 But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. (NASB) Matt. 15:18 The words of the Pharisees revealed that they were rotten trees on the
inside. Jesus’ statement was not aimed exclusively at the Pharisees.
It applies today as well.
After the illustration, Jesus described the heart of the
Pharisees.
You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. (NASB) Matt. 12:34 They were like a brood of snakes ready for the kill. They were rotten
trees. They were evil, and the words of their mouths were like the bite
of a snake. They were deadly religious leaders. Have people rejected
Jesus because of their trusted, “religious” influence?
Then Jesus added another illustration. It was about a good
man who distributes good things from his precious, priceless treasure.
The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. (NASB) Matt. 12:35 An evil man distributes evil from his worthless treasure too! Both types
of people distribute treasure. The evil treasure is not stolen or tarnished
valuables, but sinful, evil, or wicked deeds and words. We should not
be surprised that some day our lives will be evaluated, every careless
word will be reviewed. God will use these events from the lives of Christ-rejecting
sinners to show them why they deserve eternal punishment.
But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (NASB) Matt. 12:36-37. Why will God use our words and actions to judge us? Our words objectively
reveal our hearts - our true selves. Our actions are further proof.
We Want A Sign? When the Pharisees heard
this, they challenged Him. They attempted to embarrass Him by asking
for something that they believed He could not do.
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” (NASB) Matt. 12:38 At first the first question might seem to be insignificant. But a quick
review of the gospel accounts reveal that they were asking for something
very special.
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