Fill it up
Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. Matthew 15:11
Germs, bacteria and virus are common words we hear in today’s world. A few years back a pandemic started and we have become aware of their presence more than ever before. There were many instructions on how to properly wash your hands and wear a mask to prevent the spreading of these microscopic threats. Even though the pandemic is over, many people still follow these preventative measures, but there is a deeper cause for the afflictions we face in life.
In today’s passage, Jesus said that the words a person speaks is what defiles or corrupts them. Although this concept doesn’t involve germs and unsanitary conditions, He does indicate a direct connection to our physical bodies. Jesus said that the words that we are speaking root in the heart. As we continue to speak those words, that root is fed and grows stronger, choking out the growth of His Word that sustains our faith walk and our well being.
Proverbs 18:21 says Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Every word we speak either produces life and strength or feeds a root of destruction and harm. If our hearts are filled with bitterness, anger, or fear, it will show in our speech. But if our hearts are filled with God’s Word and His love, our words will bring healing, hope, and grace.
Now I have a better understanding of how to choose the words that I speak. It all starts with what I expose my heart to. I begin to follow the instructions of Proverbs to keep the word of God at the core of my heart because His words are life and health to my body (Prov. 4:22) I guard and protect my heart diligently from the perverseness of the world because that is where issues come from. (Prov. 4:23) Jesus said we speak what is in abundant and overflowing from our heart, so I must fill my heart with His Word and goodness each day, so I can speak His grace wherever I am and live my life in agreement with His standard. At my home with family, at my job with co-workers or with my friends. There is not time that I am alive that this truth is not at work.
Today I want to encourage you to fill your heart with an abundance of God’s Word and His love. Let those words flow out of you as you walk through your life each day. Then fill up again tomorrow. Don’t let roots of bitterness and anger grow in your heart by complaining and criticizing others. Fill your mouth with good things, and you will be energized and equipped to complete the mission He has assigned you. (Psalms 112)
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 15:1-20
1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,
2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’
5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—
6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand:
11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding?
17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
The Daily Dose 