DAY38 It’s All About The Heart
Today’s Bible Reading
Matthew 15:7-20
Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. —
Matthew 15:18
Every time Susan opens her mouth, it sounds like the blare of an ambulance siren. This TV commercial uses humor to indicate that a dental problem could reveal a more serious physical ailment. So she’d better see her dentist soon!
The commercial made me think about what comes out of my mouth when I open it. Jesus said that our words come from our heart (Matt. 15:18). He offended the Pharisees when He said, “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man” (vv.11-12). They thought they were right with God because they followed strict rules, including ritual cleansing of their hands before eating and eating only “clean” foods. Jesus upset their pride.
Jesus upsets our pride too. We may think we’re godly people because we go to church regularly or pray, but then we gossip or talk about people behind their backs. James 3:9-10 says, “With [our tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men . . . . Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. . . . These things ought not to be so.”
If a siren blares from our mouth when we open it, we need to examine our heart and ask the Lord to forgive us and to help us be a blessing to others.
By Anne Cetas
Questions:
1. How did Jesus describe the Pharisees and teachers of the law (Matthew 15:7-9, 13-14)? List down four of the descriptions below.
2. What are some dietary restrictions that other religions have? What about Christians, do we have any dietary restrictions? Why or why not (15:11, 17-20)?
3. How can we avoid being like the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, and keep ourselves pure? What is the key point that we must not miss in these 14 verses (15:7-20) to keep ourselves reverent to God and people?
Prayer:
Lord, cleanse our hearts so what we speak will be reflective of Your grace; And help us to control our tongues so we’ll not bring on You disgrace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.