Lessons From A Mango Taster

Daily Devotional – Saturday, October 21, 2023
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
Luke 6:44 (NKJV)

The most abundant fruit during my childhood was the mango. There were mango trees in the village, on the way to school, and even at school. In addition, traders flooded the market with these fruits in December and January. That is how I became a mango taster, like other boys my age.

The Link Between Taste and Tree

The shape and taste of the leaves and fruits were unique to a tree. Never in my life have I come across a mango fruit that defied this norm. Even if I picked a fruit from the market, I could tell the type of tree it came from. In essence, you could tell the variety of tree from the fruit.

As an adult, I do not devour mangoes as much as I did as a boy, but my expertise in mango-tasting is still intact. Actually, the skill comes in handy in a markedly different area of life. I have realized that human beings are not different from mangoes, at least when it comes to the relationship between the tree and the fruit.

A Tree is Known By Its Own Fruit

No greater authority than the Creator Himself attests to this when He says, “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.” (Luke 6:43-44). If you own an apple-mango tree, you cannot meet a person with the Kent variety and accuse that person of stealing from your tree.

What is the gist of Christ’s lesson on fruits and their trees? He states, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45).

Lessons From A Mango Taster

Your speech is the fruit of your mind or thoughts. Irrespective of how many times you claim people are judging you, your words do not lie. If you harbor hatred, anger, jealousy, and other negative emotions, your speech will betray you sooner or later. Spiritual ‘mango tasters’ in your circle will draw their logical conclusions.

You have no power to change your heart. Only by allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and by cooperating with Him in your conversion can you bear fruit that pleases God. If your speech and conduct are not in tandem with God’s will, invite the Holy Spirit into your heart today, and your change process will begin.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, come and live in my heart today. Cleanse my thoughts and motives so that my actions and my speech may bring honour to You.