Jesus goes past behavior to the heart. What shows up in your life isn’t random. Your fruit reveals what’s really inside. Luke 6:43-45 gives us some help here.

#1 Your fruit reveals your nature. “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit,” (vv. 43–44a). Jesus says a good tree doesn’t bear bad fruit. “Fruit” means what’s visible: actions, attitudes, habits. This isn’t random failure but consistent lifestyle stuff. Who you are shapes what you do.

Your home sees your fruit daily: patience or frustration, present with your mind in the room or checked out with your mind on work. You get the idea. Your kids are reading you.

#2 You can’t fake what you don’t have. “For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush,” (v. 44b). Jesus says figs don’t come from thornbushes. “Gathered” means to collect what naturally grows. You can’t harvest what you don’t plant.

God isn’t impressed by how things look on the outside. He’s concerned with what’s inside, what’s planted daily, what’s in your heart. You can’t somehow muster up spiritual leadership in the moment. If time with God isn’t happening, your kids won’t see Him in you.

#3 The heart is the source of everything. “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks,” (v. 45). Jesus says what’s in your heart comes out in your life. “Treasure” is what you’ve been storing over time. The treasure in your heart drives your words, reactions, and habits.

You can’t fake fruit. The root shows up, especially under pressure. When stress hits, does anger or grace come out? Be honest about what’s shaping your heart daily.

The Physical Signs Your Body Is Carrying Too Much as a Dad: If you are carrying more than you realize as a dad, your body probably already knows it. Here is what to look for.

You Don’t Have What It Takes to Be a Great Dad…And That’s the Point: Lawson and I sat down with Mike Poelzer this week, and he brought a perspective I did not expect. He grew up with a strong, faithful dad, and instead of making the rest of us feel behind, he used it to paint a clear picture of what we are actually aiming for.

“Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.” —Craig Groeschel

“Where there is no holy living, there is no Holy Spirit.” —J.C. Ryle

“A man’s life is always more forcible than his speech.” —Charles Spurgeon

Set aside ten minutes to ask yourself: “What’s really going on in my heart right now?” Pay attention to your words, reactions, tone, and habits, especially when you’re tired, rushed, or frustrated. This will tell you what’s bubbling inside.

Don’t just label the fruit; trace it back to the root. Is it fear, envy, pride, anger, insecurity, or lack of trust in God? Then intentionally replace it with truth from His Word. Open your Bible, confess sin, slow down, and pray. Ask God to guard your heart.

Your life will reveal what’s in your heart.

Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.