“Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” ~ Matthew 15:10-11
The Pharisees confronted Jesus one afternoon to complain about his disciples. v2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
In his reply (Matthew 15:10-11 above), Jesus clearly reveals much more concern about the Pharisees’ elitism and hypocritical attitudes than the cleanliness of his disciples’ eating habits. You see, the Jewish leaders created hundreds of traditions (rules) to accompany God’s Law. And not that all of them were unreasonable, although many of them served no other purpose than to control and oppress their people; but the Pharisees considered their manmade rules equal to God’s. Jesus was clearly pointing out that while they were holding everyone else to these impossible standards, their own self-righteousness deemed them exempt from the same.
James, Jesus’ brother, also addresses this.
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” ~ James 1:26
“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts…” ~ James 3:3-5
James seems to be circling back to the same sin that Jesus talked about that day when addressing the Pharisees; this self-righteous attitude.
As we go through our day interacting with others, do we ever take a moment to ask ourselves before responding, “Is what I’m about to say pleasing to God? Is my reply accompanying an attitude of self-righteousness, or is it wrapped with kindness and humility?
What comes out of our mouths ultimately reveals what is inside our hearts.
Am I revealing a love of Christ when I speak?
Former Blackout Artist 