Scripture:
Then he called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand this! What makes a person unclean is not what goes into his Mouth; rather, what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean!” – Matthew 15:10-11 CJB

Observation:
The religious elite approached Jesus and asked him why his followers didn’t wash up prior to eating, as was the tradition of Jews. He responded to them that they teach people the traditions of men as though they were commandments of God. They nullified the laws of God by superseding them with man-made actions. Jesus then turned to the people and informed them that it’s not what goes into a person’s body that defiles them but what comes out of them: vile words, thoughts, and deeds. These things come from the heart of the individual and reveal what is truly on the inside of that person.

Application:
Do we realize what comes out of our mouths? Do we consider what we say to others before we speak? Are our words building up someone or tearing them down? The Scriptures teach that there is the power of life and death in the tongue, our words. When we encourage others, we build them up and speak life into them. When we tear down people with our words, we speak death over them. Jesus made it perfectly clear that what emanates from your mouth reveals the inner most state of your heart, what you really believe/think, and who you really are. How incredible is that!

True, many people can put on a plastic face and try to appear holy and righteous, but given the right set of circumstances, their true colors will eventually be made known. People can only hold down their true selves for so long before the ugly monster that resides within comes alive (if such is the case). We need to ensure that we are not letting ourselves be filled with such vile affections. The Holy Spirit saved us by the grace of God through our faith in the resurrection of Jesus and our confession of him as LORD. At that moment we were forgiven and made right in the sight of God through the atonement Jesus paid; however, if left unchecked and undisciplined, we can find ourselves saying and doing things contrary to the word of God. James tells us that such things out naught be so, such as sweet and bitter water coming from the same fountain!

Therefore let’s do a checkup not just from the neck up but from the heart! Let’s allow the Spirit of God to search us and reveal to us anything that is unbecoming a child of the living God! May our thoughts, deeds, and speech reflect the love and grace of the most high God!

Prayer:
Father, supreme and majestic One, thank you for loving me enough to check me at times when I need it. Help me to ensure that nothing degrading or belittling or vile comes out of my mouth. I repent of the times that I have said anything that didn’t bring glory to your name and caused anyone harm in any fashion. I ask you, Holy Spirit, to help me become more disciplined and vigilant in my communication. May only those things that should be said be said. I want to speak live into and over others in order that they see and know the love of my God. Your will be done, not mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.