Scripture: Matthew 15:17-20 [The Message]
17-20″….Don’t you know that anything that is swallowed works its way through the intestines and is finally defecated? But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing. That’s what pollutes. Eating or not eating certain foods, washing or not washing your hands—that’s neither here nor there.”
Observation(s): Jesus seems to be saying that words have meaning. Every utterance is communicated and get its start with the heart! Our hearts produce falsehoods, selfish desires of an immoral nature such as murder, adultery, illicit sex, swearing, theft and perjury. Jesus says that we may appear unclean on the outside, but it really is our insides that are dirty and what we should be concerned with!
Application(s): Are my thoughts pure? Are my words contrived, or do I mean what I say and say what I mean? Is my heart in the right place when I speak? Am I more concerned about outward appearance than my own soul?
Prayer: Lord, You know my heart. The Psalmist records that man looks on the outside appearance, but you see what’s in the heart. Forgive me where I have failed–evil thoughts, desire, motivations. Bridle my tongue Lord so that when I speak that my words come from the Spirit–may they be spoken in love, truth and always gentle, especially to my wife and children who you have given to me as a gift. I love you.
