TREASURE OF THE HEART

Matt 12:22-37
Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed
him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were
amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it
they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the
demons." 25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will
not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his
kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast
them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit
of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a
strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then
he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not
gather with Me scatters abroad. 31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will
be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever
speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age
to come. 33 "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. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you,
being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 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. 36 But I say to you that for
every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
NKJV

As we look at this passage of Scripture we must keep in mind that Jesus does not deviate
from His point throughout the passage. First we must understand that every man has a
kingdom of which he reigns over - his heart. Furthermore, this heart (kingdom) of man
will have a treasury filled with either good treasure or bad treasure. However, a heart
(kingdom) divided between both treasures will be brought to desolation. The word
desolation comes from the Greek word ‘Eremoo’ and it means to suffer destruction, with
the implication of being deserted and abandoned – to be left alone (Vine’s). To be alone,
a kingdom (heart) without God, would be the most desolate of all kingdoms (hearts).

Jesus goes on to compare a man’s heart (kingdom) to a fruit producing tree. He starts the
comparison by saying, “make the tree”. This statement infers an effort on someone’s
part. The word make comes from the Greek word ‘poieoo’ which connotes a thing made
or constructed (Thayer’s). We make our tree (kingdom) good or bad, by the decisions we
establish (make) in our life. It is our decisions that establishes and builds (produces fruit)
our treasure. Furthermore, it is our decisions that will be witnessed by others.

So what is this treasure and how do we know what the treasure of our heart
(kingdom) is? Two things will reveal our heart’s treasure; the words that proceed from
our mouth and the zeal or passion of our actions to obtain the treasure. A good heart (tree)
will produce words of life and a great zeal or passion for God; a bad heart (tree) will
produce words of death and lust or passion for the things of the world.

How do we make a tree good or bad? By the good or bad seed that we plant in our heart
to produce it. What is the seed? The words we hear are seeds that produce and shape
everyone’s life. No one explains this better than Jesus.

Mark 4:13-20
And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you
understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by
the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes
away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on
stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17
and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when
tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now
these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the
cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in
choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good
ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty,
and some a hundred." NKJV

King David understood the importance of words.

Ps 1:1-3
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of
sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law (Word) of the
LORD, And in His law (Word) he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also
shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. NKJV

Jesus continuously revealed the importance of God’s word.

The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you
who do not believe." John 6:63-64 NKJV

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall
be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will
be My disciples. John 15:7-8 NKJV

The words (seeds) of life that proceed from our lips should be no less than the Word of
God planted in our hearts. Furthermore, the works (zeal or passion) of our life should be
the evidence of the treasure in our hearts – Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11-15
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in
the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every
lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. NKJV

Our prayer for the Body of Christ is this; Lord, fill our hearts with your words of life and
let the treasure of our hearts be the zeal and passion for your good works. Amen.

Love and blessings to all,

In His Service,

Dr. Rod and Maggie

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All scripture references are taken from the New King James Version
unless stated otherwise.