Scripture Post #147: *WORDS, NOT FOOD*

Matthew 15:11: "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."


The Pharisees came to Jesus accusing His Disciples of eating without washing their hands, which was transgression of the tradition of the elders (Matt. 15:1-2). Then in Matt. 15:11, Jesus was speaking to the multitude of people that were there (Matt. 15:10). Then Jesus said this to Peter in Matt. 15:17-20: "[verse 17:] Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 
[verse 18:] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 
[verse 19:] For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 
[verse 20:] These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man."

(Jesus speaks to the Pharisees here, in Matt. 12:34. It states that He did so in Matt. 12:25.) Matt. 12:34: "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 
[verse 35:] A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."

See? Eating dirty, unclean, or forbidden food can't defile you. It's what proceeds from the heart, out through the mouth that defiles you. Have a heart-check and watch yo' mouth and you'll be alright. 


Published Wednesday 2 • 6 • 13