This post is Day 12 in a series of studies about “The Fig Tree”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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The Fig Tree – Day 12

And yet another day on this verse. I feel that this last sentence should be our focus for today. The words of Jesus bring life but also bring death. James talks about the tongue saying no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison.

Mark 11:12-14

Jesus became hungry. In the distance he saw a fig tree with leaves. He went to see if he could find any figs on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves because it wasn’t the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” His disciples heard this.

The Thought

And yet another day on this verse because here in Mark we are told that the disciples heard what Jesus said. I feel that this last sentence should be our focus for today.

When Jesus cursed the fig tree, the disciples didn’t understand, but they heard and they would certainly remember. Maybe you are in that position today, reading God’s word, hearing what He says, but not remembering it or understanding.

Later when the disciples saw the withered fig tree they would really remember, but did they understand?

When we don’t understand, we are in good company with many who have gone before us. But understanding comes from the Holy Spirit who clarifies things. We must ask Him to show us how we should react to any difficult scriptures.

The words of Jesus bring life but also bring death. Years before this episode, Proverbs 18:21 told us that “the tongue has the power of life and death“. This theme is picked up in the letter from James where he talks about the tongue being a fire, a world of evil set on fire by hell! (James 3:6) and later in verse 8 James tells us that “no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison.”

Action

Pray for the gift to use your words wisely, that you may bring life to others in Jesus’ name. Ask Him to show you any times when your words have hurt and not healed, cursed and not blessed. Repent of those times and move on to greater things with Him.