Matthew 15:18 - But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.
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What does "Matthew 15:18" mean?
Matthew 15:18, "But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man," is a key verse in understanding Jesus's teaching about true defilement. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"But the things which proceed out of the mouth...": This refers to the words people speak. Jesus is contrasting this with the concern of the Pharisees about ritual impurity caused by eating with unwashed hands (as seen earlier in Matthew 15).
"...come out of the heart...": This is the crucial point. Jesus says that words don't originate in the mouth, but from the heart (the inner being, the seat of thoughts, emotions, and will). The mouth is simply a vessel for expressing what's already inside.
"...and they defile the man.": This means that it's not external things (like unwashed hands) that make a person impure or unclean in God's eyes. Rather, it's the corrupt thoughts, attitudes, and intentions that originate in the heart and are expressed through words that truly defile.
In essence, Jesus is saying that:
True defilement is internal, not external. The Pharisees were focused on outward appearances and rituals, but Jesus emphasizes that true purity comes from within.
Our words are a reflection of our inner state. What we say reveals what's truly in our hearts. If our hearts are filled with evil thoughts, those thoughts will eventually find their way out through our speech.
The heart needs to be cleansed and renewed. This verse points to the need for inner transformation and a change of heart. It's not enough to simply follow external rules; we need to address the root of the problem, which lies within us.
Context in Matthew 15:
This verse is part of a larger discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees, who were criticizing his disciples for not following their traditions about handwashing before meals. Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for prioritizing their traditions over God's commandments. He then explains that it's not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of it.
Practical Application:
This verse challenges us to:
Examine our hearts. What thoughts, attitudes, and intentions are we harboring?
Be mindful of our words. Do our words reflect love, kindness, and truth, or are they filled with negativity, anger, and deceit?
Seek God's help in cleansing our hearts. We need to ask God to purify our hearts and fill us with his love and grace.
In conclusion, Matthew 15:18 is a powerful reminder that true purity comes from within and that our words reveal the state of our hearts. It calls us to examine our inner lives and seek God's help in transforming us from the inside out.
Matthew 15:18 - But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.
What does "Matthew 15:18" mean?
Matthew 15:18, "But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man," is a key verse in understanding Jesus's teaching about true defilement. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"But the things which proceed out of the mouth...": This refers to the words people speak. Jesus is contrasting this with the concern of the Pharisees about ritual impurity caused by eating with unwashed hands (as seen earlier in Matthew 15).
"...come out of the heart...": This is the crucial point. Jesus says that words don't originate in the mouth, but from the heart (the inner being, the seat of thoughts, emotions, and will). The mouth is simply a vessel for expressing what's already inside.
"...and they defile the man.": This means that it's not external things (like unwashed hands) that make a person impure or unclean in God's eyes. Rather, it's the corrupt thoughts, attitudes, and intentions that originate in the heart and are expressed through words that truly defile.
In essence, Jesus is saying that:
True defilement is internal, not external. The Pharisees were focused on outward appearances and rituals, but Jesus emphasizes that true purity comes from within.
Our words are a reflection of our inner state. What we say reveals what's truly in our hearts. If our hearts are filled with evil thoughts, those thoughts will eventually find their way out through our speech.
The heart needs to be cleansed and renewed. This verse points to the need for inner transformation and a change of heart. It's not enough to simply follow external rules; we need to address the root of the problem, which lies within us.
Context in Matthew 15:
This verse is part of a larger discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees, who were criticizing his disciples for not following their traditions about handwashing before meals. Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for prioritizing their traditions over God's commandments. He then explains that it's not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of it.
Practical Application:
This verse challenges us to:
Examine our hearts. What thoughts, attitudes, and intentions are we harboring?
Be mindful of our words. Do our words reflect love, kindness, and truth, or are they filled with negativity, anger, and deceit?
Seek God's help in cleansing our hearts. We need to ask God to purify our hearts and fill us with his love and grace.
In conclusion, Matthew 15:18 is a powerful reminder that true purity comes from within and that our words reveal the state of our hearts. It calls us to examine our inner lives and seek God's help in transforming us from the inside out.