Matthew 15:11

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Scripture: Matthew 15:11  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Observation: The bible has a lot to say about the way we use our words.... They can be used for flattery (Psalms 5:9) or cursing, fraud, mischief and vanity (Psalms 10:7) or they can be used righteousness, praise (Psalms 35:28) wisdom and judgment (Psalms 37:30). We can choose to honor God with our words or to curse Him. In this portion of scripture, The Pharisees and Scribes came to Jesus wanting to know why His disciples didn't follow their traditions of washing their hands before they ate. And after rebuking them for using their traditions to make the Word of God of none effect, He turned to the people and taught them that they are not defiled from the outward, but the inward.

Application: God is concerned about the state of my heart. The bible mentions the word heart 833 times... and not once is it referring to the beating organ that pumps blood through my body. God is concerned about the place where my thoughts, feelings and actions originate. The heart that I use to follow Him or to deny Him. He is concerned about what comes out of my heart... and usually that is evidenced by the words that I choose.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I have no idea how much good or harm my words can do. I pray Lord, that You would give me wisdom and discretion as I pick my words throughout the day. I know my words are evidence of what is truly going on in my heart, even when I am trying to hide how I feel, and I ask Lord, as David did, please create in me a clean heart - help me to turn over every thought, feeling, emotion and action to You. Help me to seek only that which is pleasing to You, and fill me with Your spirit and Your words. I ask Lord, that You help me to be an encouragement to others in and through Your word. And Lord, thank You for that Word. Without it, I would be lost, wandering and unaware of Your amazing love. Thank You, for loving me. In Jesus name, Amen.