March 27
But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Matthew 15:18-19
Jesus gives a definitive explanation of where sin truly originates. It is a sharp contrast to what the religious leaders of the day who believed spiritual uncleanliness came from touching the wrong things or failing to wash one’s hands properly (Matthew 15:2). Jesus reveals their hypocritical thoughts and actions (vs. 7). Jesus uses a simple metaphor to make a spiritual point. In verse 17, he notes that whatever goes into the body through the mouth will also pass out of the body. A few verses earlier Jesus states, “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them” (vs. 11). There is less concern with what a person eats. Jesus is more concerned about what comes out of the mouth.
Jesus’ concern is based on the fact that what comes out of our mouth is a result of what we have in our heart. Our mouth is a vent for the overflow of what we have inside of us. If our heart is a well, and what comes out of it is murky or unclean, the problem isn’t the spout (mouth); the problem is the well itself. Cleaning up the outside of the well or replacing the spout will not make the water coming up and out of the well (our heart) any cleaner or more pure. The source of the water - our heart - is the issue and that is what needs to be addressed and cleaned.
Jesus then provides a list of immoral and sinful things showing the progression from thought to action. He places “evil thoughts” first and then gives a list of actions that follow the evil thoughts. “Murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander” all start with evil thoughts that have their beginning in the heart. No one commits these external sins without them first being formed in the heart. Adultery begins with a look. Sexual immorality begins with a thought. Theft begins with greed and the need for more. False testimony and slander begin with bitterness and anger. A heart full of evil thoughts falls short of “loving the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
What is the antidote for a heart full of evil thoughts? How does one keep their heart from giving residence to evil thoughts? Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts because everything we do flows from it. If our heart is a factory where words, thoughts, and actions are manufactured, we need to be careful about what we allow to enter - our media (what we see), our company (with whom we interact), and our private thoughts. Jesus’ focus is on the internal (the human heart) and is after spiritual formation. Surrendering our hearts to him is a good place to start. Confessing the evil that lurks in our hearts and asking him to give a clean heart is a posture of repentance he will not deny.
Father - You see past what others see. You see straight to my heart - to the “well” - where my thoughts and motives are formed. Forgive me for the evil thoughts that I harbor there. I can so quickly allow bitterness, pride, and selfish desire to take root in my heart. These are the things that overflow and affect how I live and treat others. Give me a clean heart. Help me guard what I take into my heart; what I watch, conversations I have, and the thoughts. Remove what displeases You. If my mouth speaks what is in my heart, then I pray my heart would be full of Your grace and love and a reflection of the work You are doing inside of me. In Your name we pray. Amen