A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
Matthew 12:35 NIV
This verse paints a vivid picture of the human heart as a reservoir that holds our thoughts, intentions, and character traits, ready to flow into our actions and words. Just as a reservoir holds water that can either nourish or harm the land it touches, so does our heart hold virtues or vices that shape our lives and impact those around us.
When you see clean water flowing from a tap, it indicates that the reservoir is filled with clean water. Conversely, contaminated water suggests that the reservoir itself is polluted. The tap merely serves as a conduit for the content it is holding. Similarly, imagine your heart as a reservoir. What do you fill it with? The content of this inner reservoir determines the quality of what flows from it.
When we fill our hearts with goodness—kindness, compassion, love, and truth—our actions naturally reflect these virtues. Conversely, if we harbour negativity—anger, hatred, deceit, and malice—our actions will inevitably mirror these harmful traits. Jesus emphasises this truth when He says that a person produces good works because they have stored goodness within themselves. Words of grace and encouragement do not originate from our mouths. But from the depths of our hearts, manifesting as deeds and fruits visible to others.
Likewise, when a person unexpectedly changes their behaviour or acts differently from usual, it reveals that their evil actions stem from long-held negativity in their heart. Before someone can exhibit either good or bad behaviour, they have already stored these traits in their heart. While someone with an evil heart might temporarily perform seemingly good acts, a heart filled with good cannot produce evil. As Jesus acknowledged in Matthew 12:34, it is impossible for good to come from an evil heart.
This concept underscores the importance of self-reflection and intentional living. By consciously storing up good within ourselves, we ensure that we reflect Christ’s life and love to others. Consequently, we ensure that what we bring forth into the world contributes positively to our communities and relationships. It calls us to be mindful of the influences we allow into our lives and to cultivate an inner life rich in goodness and virtue.
Jesus further illustrates this in Matthew 12:33, saying, “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognised by its fruit.” Reflect on what kind of tree you are. What deeds do people see in you? What kind of fruit do you bear? We must carefully reflect upon the state of our own hearts. What do we have stored up in them?
In conclusion, our hearts act as reservoirs, storing up either good or evil, which inevitably flows into our actions and words. By intentionally filling our hearts with goodness, we can positively impact our lives and those around us. Let us strive to cultivate hearts rich in virtue, reflecting the love and life of Christ and bearing good fruit for all to see.
