Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus, “called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand”, and in chapter fifteen and verse eleven of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus told the multitude what, “defiles a man” where we read:
Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man;
but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.
The verse reads, “Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man;”. Matthew began with the words, “not that which goes into” which means “it is not that which enters or comes into” “the mouth” or “the orifice in the face which is used for eating and speech” “defiles” which means “renders unclean or unhallowed and profanes” “a man” which refers to “a person whether male or female”. Matthew shared how the things which enter into a person's mouth are not what makes that person “unclean or profane”.
The verse continues, “ but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Matthew added the word, “but” which means “howbeit, no, nevertheless, moreover and” “that which comes out” which means “that which goes forth, proceeds, flows and projects” “of the mouth” or “from the orifice in the face used for eating and speech”, “this defiles a man” which means “what comes out of a mouth makes a person unclean, unhallowed and profane”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the things that “proceed” from a person's “mouth” is what renders them “unclean and profane”.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how “food” and “drink” are not what “defiles” a person, but rather the heart of a person is revealed by what they “say”. Jesus said in the gospel of Luke in chapter six and verse forty-five, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” God desires “truth in the inward parts”, and when a person speaks reproachfully, wickedly and of evil, they reveal what their heart is like and this “defiles” them. God wants people to turn their “defiled” hearts over to Him so they may be transformed by His entrance into their lives. “Food and drink” do not “defile”, but the person who makes declarations against God and His ways reveal not only what is in their heart, but also their opposition to God Himself.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus' disciples ask Him, “do you know that the Pharisees were offended”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
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www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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