Your behaviour reveals your heart.

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | May 20, 2023 | Matthew 15:10-20

KEY VERSE:

¹⁹For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰These are what defile a person, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them. Matthew 15:19-20

MESSAGE:

In our previous devotion, the Lord was asked why His disciples did not wash their hands before eating (Matt. 15:2). According to Jesus, what we put in our mouths has nothing to do with whether we are clean or unclean. Rather, it is the heart that matters. After the confrontation with the Pharisees and Scribes, Jesus called the multitude to Himself (verses 10-12). Apparently, the multitude heard the discussion he had with the Pharisees and He wanted them also to know the truth. He told them that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person but rather it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles, and this offended the Pharisees.

In today’s passage, Jesus also teaches that “every plant the Father has not planted will be uprooted” (verses 13-14). The point is that God will mete out punishment on the last day. Those who pretend to be people of God but are not will be condemned. Jesus said the Pharisees were blind leaders leading the blind, and both will fall into the ditch. They were blind because they did not know the truth, and they were leading others into error. They were ignorant of the things of God, and strangers to the spiritual nature of the divine law. Jesus says both the one who teaches error and the one following him will fall into the ditch. Just because someone is deceived by a smooth-talking false teacher does not excuse him or her from the responsibility of knowing the truth. Therefore, we must seek out the truth for ourselves. Jesus concludes His teaching with verses 15-20 and explains that it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles a person because what comes out of the mouth comes out of the heart. Matthew’s order of sins that proceed from the heart, from evil thoughts to slander, is fairly much the order of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. Real defilement has to do with the defilement of the heart, and not the defilement of the body but the defilement of the heart is shown by the way a person talks, thinks, and behaves.

FEET AND HANDS OF MESSAGE:

Jesus teaches us the truth about true righteousness which the Pharisees and Scribes rejected because of their pride and self-righteousness. Jesus called the multitude to Himself to teach them the truth and so wants the citizens of His Kingdom to propagate the truth. His teaching shows that our behaviour reflects what is in our hearts. When the heart is good, your words, thoughts and actions will be good. Therefore, one needs to get his heart right by allowing God to transform the heart so that what comes out will be pleasing to God. Trying to appear nice and clean physically is not a cover-up for a defiled heart because what we say and do reflect what is in our hearts. Remember, your behaviour reveals what is in your heart.

PRAYER:

Dear God, I come before you today asking for a transformed heart. Please help me to examine my heart and identify any areas where I need to change. I pray that you will purify my heart and fill it with your love, joy, peace, faithfulness, and self-control. May my words reflect your love and grace, and may my thoughts be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!