Happy Monday Saints.
In Matthew 15, the Pharisees and scribes were upset that Jesus’ disciples didn’t wash their hands before eating. Their objection had nothing to do with hygiene; it was about their own traditional ritual, which they believed was evidence of spiritual purity.
Jesus explained in Matthew 15:17-18 that it isn’t what goes into the mouth that defiles a person “BUT WHAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH PROCEEDS FROM THE HEART, AND THIS DEFILES A PERSON.”
Having unwashed hands isn’t mankind’s real problem – our real problem is having a filthy heart. No amount of religious activity, no matter how pious, can purify the heart.
Sometimes, we blame others, or we blame our circumstances for our sinful behaviours. One might say, “They upset me, and they made me say something wrong,” or “I got so mad that I did something foolish.” But it’s not what happens to us that causes us to sin – it’s what goes on inside our hearts that determines our behaviour
In other words – difficult people and challenging situations will reveal the actual condition of our hearts. If we harbour any bitterness, resentment, or anger, or if we are carnally minded and have our hearts set on the things of this world – then our circumstances will bring any sinful desires that fill our hearts to the surface.
External, religious activities might make us look clean on the outside. They might even make us feel a little better about ourselves. But they can never purify our hearts, and they can never make us better people.
Stay close to God and let His Word dwell in you richly. Let Him transform your life from the inside out so that your heart can bring forth a whole lot of good. So that no matter what the circumstances are – you can produce good fruit.
Have a fantastic week. God bless and lots’a love,
Warren
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