Matthew 14:34-15:20

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:18, ESV)

The Pharisees were constantly attacking Jesus about something. There was no fruit of love in them. Rather, they were like their father who is called “the accuser of our brethren” (John 8:44; Revelation 12:10). They found fault with Jesus’ disciples because they did not wash their hands when they ate, according to their traditions. They were concerned that they would become defiled by eating something non-kosher but then violated the commandment of God by dishonoring their parents. Jesus would later accuse them of straining a gnat but swallowing a camel! Jesus called them “hypocrites” and said that Isaiah wrote about them.

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:8–9, ESV)

Later, Jesus explained to His disciples that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth. For what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

How many people are defiled by the words they speak because of the thoughts they cherish in their hearts! We each have a heart that is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). That is a hard pill to swallow, but unless we vigilantly watch over our heart, we will easily be defiled by it. Therefore, we should pay close attention to the words of Solomon:

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, NKJV)

“Heavenly Father, forgive us for entertaining unholy thoughts and sinning with our words. Help us put to death evil thoughts that are unworthy of you. Help us to watch over our hearts will all vigilance, so that we do not defile ourselves and others with the words we speak. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”