Good Tree

Luke 6:43-45 - A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasure of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

When reading the New Testament, remember all accounts of Jesus Christ's life were written as Apostil Confessions after his death. Luke's perceptions differ from Matthew's who also wrote about good tree and bad tree in Matthew 7: 15-20. Luke was a physician from Rome. Matthew was a rabbi and tax collector. Matthew relates to Christ's saying through Judaism and expresses a relation between this parable and false prophets. These are in essence similar, because a person known for falsehoods should not be trusted.

I believe Luke's account is freed from assumptions and therefore, a better catalyst for an average reader trying to obtain wisdom Christ. This statement about good trees and bad trees is from an individual's perception. Some people share a closer interpretation of life and create varying systems of values. As Social Distortion wrote, "You only want to do what you think is right." Therefore, as we do what we think is right we believe it is right for another person.

Good tree and bad tree represents how people interact. You don't go to a grape vine to pick fresh figs. I enjoy sweet apples, while another enjoys sour apples. Our preferences identify which people will be the best for us. It is incorrect to believe a person will act against their beliefs; however, it is possible to see how they will act in a similar way.

This also relates to other aspects of life. Though a similar situation has happened before, people often believe the fruit will magically change into something else. Successful people noted when a system is found to gain optimal results, repeat the process. Avoid making the same mistakes over-and-over; therefore, change tactics when it is ineffective.

We do not have to chop down another person's tree, we only have to stop going to the wrong tree. There is no reason to continue trying to make someone or something different. We are all God's creations and beautiful. When a person sees this it is easier to understand people do not intentionally mean to harm another. Be warned when continuing to go to them they will continue to produce similar results. Avoided them, or trust them to do as they have done before. Avoid stress and consequences related to apologies by creating distance.

Unfortunately, people are not trees. They are mobile like trees in horror stories. Think of a thief or liar. They gain wealth or popularity by harming others. Therefore, many trees are delightful as long as they gain what they want. A person can become a bad taste in their mouth, causing them to spit them out by registering intellectual property, installing video surveillance or helping to catch criminals. When losing flavor, they avoid furthering conflicts and a person does not have to resort to violence.

Often what a person speaks of is in their hearts. It is a way to evaluate good alliances or bad alliances. Does someone who lives life going to parties and flirting feel awful when everyone enjoys their company? Does someone avoid social gatherings to focus on work feel they have done wrong when they invent products to improve everyone's life? They are both happy, filling society with light and hope, yet there is a point of tension. They may share each other's joy yet understand their fruit is not as delightful to someone else. Seeing this reduces judgment and compulsion to make everyone the same.

Forgiveness and understanding each other is good. Every person has freewill. Why continually forgive a person? Does avoiding a person imply malice? A civilized method is already in place. It is important to let people be themselves, even in if it means creating absence. It would be wonderful if every relationship was mutually beneficial. This is possible when building trust beyond mere words and phrases. This parable is a method of understanding an action to avoid constant harm which produces constant forgiveness.

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