Scripture: Matthew 15: 10-18
After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said, “Listen and understand this: 11 It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that defiles and dishonors him, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles and dishonors him.”
12 Then the disciples came and said to Jesus, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard you say this?” 13 He answered, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant will be torn up by the roots. 14 Leave them alone; they are blind guides [b][leading blind followers]. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
15 Peter asked Him, “Explain this parable [about what defiles a person] to us.” 16 And He said, “Are you still so dull [and unable to put things together]? 17 Do you not understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18 But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man.
Scripture Commentary:
I will paraphrase this verse as follows: it’s what comes out of man’s mouth that defiles and dishonors him, not what goes in. It’s what you say and think that makes you unclean!
Jesus told His disciples to leave the Pharisees alone because they were blind to God’s truth just as many are today. Not all religious leaders clearly see God’s truth.
It is not enough to act religious.
Our worship means nothing when we claim to honor God while our hearts are far from Him. Our actions and our attitudes must be sincere. We work hard to keep our outward appearance attractive. But what is in our hearts is even more important. The way we are deep down in our heart and mind matters much to God.
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