Strive for Inner Purity
“10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” (Matthew 15:10-11, NLT)
Jesus wants us to understand the true nature of “inner purity.” He doesn’t want us to get caught up in the traditions of men – especially the ones that turn religious. Many times, we try to shape God’s commandments to fit our convenience. Earlier, He scolds the Pharisees for making outward hypocritical statements. They were trying to use God’s commandments as a way to skirt their family responsibilities. Jesus called them “hypocrites” and “blind guides.”
Eating food is a personal, physical thing that only affects your body, but speaking out loud is meant to be shared and affects everyone listening. Jesus wants us guard our hearts and words. In order to speak pure things, you must have a pure heart. If a heart is filled with depravity, it will live out a life of wickedness. But, if a heart strives to be clean, it will speak life-giving words.
Lord Jesus! I know I can fail every day, because I am weak and sinful. Thank you for your mercy and grace! I know I cannot do any good on my own. Help me to always monitor my words and to seek those things in this life that make me more like You. May everything that I say be words given and guided by the Holy Spirit. May they give life, power, and blessing. Through Your Name I pray! Amen.
