Brian Barton
In Matthew 15:11, Jesus is quoted as saying that what goes into the mouth does not defile a person, but what comes out of the mouth does. This statement was made in response to the Pharisees' belief in the importance of ritual hand-washing before eating as a demonstration of religious faithfulness. Jesus refuted this idea, stating that it is not physical actions but rather the words that come from the heart that truly defile a person. This concept is further elaborated on in Matthew 15:17–20, where Jesus explains that evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander are the true sources of defilement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What defiles a person | Words that come out of a person's mouth |
| What does not defile a person | What a person eats or puts into their mouth |
| What contaminates a person | What comes out of their mouth |
| What makes a person loathsome, abominable, and odious in the sight of God | Sin, which takes its rise from the heart and is expressed by the mouth or performed by some outward action |
| What Jesus denounced | The false idea that a ritualized tradition could make someone spiritually clean |
Explore related products
$6.98 $7.99
What You'll Learn
- Jesus condemns the Pharisees' false idea that ritual hand-washing can make someone spiritually clean
- Jesus clarifies that it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles a person
- Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander are what defile a person
- Sinful words corrupt manners and render men loathsome to God
- It is not what people eat or drink that defiles them, but what comes out of their mouths
Jesus condemns the Pharisees' false idea that ritual hand-washing can make someone spiritually clean
Jesus denounced the Pharisees' false belief that ritual hand-washing could bring about spiritual cleanliness. The Pharisees believed that by following the traditions of their forefathers, they were demonstrating religious devotion. However, Jesus clarified that it is not the external rituals or rules that make a person pure, but rather the condition of their heart.
In Matthew 15:11, Jesus states, "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person." He emphasizes that it is the words that come from within, from the heart, that reveal a person's true nature and can defile or contaminate them. This includes sinful words and actions such as "evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander" (Matthew 15:17-20).
The Pharisees were focused on outward appearances, including the ritual of hand-washing before meals, to demonstrate their piety. However, Jesus pointed out that their hearts were soiled despite their clean hands. He called them "blind guides and teachers" (Matthew 15:14), whose outward purity falsely represented their inner selves.
Jesus' disciples were also criticized by the Pharisees for not following the tradition of hand-washing before eating (Matthew 15:1-9). Jesus did not condemn all hand-washing before meals but instead addressed the underlying belief that ritualized practices could bring spiritual cleanliness. He clarified that it is not what we eat or how we prepare our food that makes us unclean, but rather the words and actions that come from a defiled heart.
Jesus' teaching in this passage emphasizes the importance of inner purity and the need for salvation through mercy and the work of the Holy Spirit, as stated in Titus 3:5-6. It is through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit that we can attain genuine purity and be saved (Romans 10:9-10).
Carbon Oxides: Understanding Air Pollution and Its Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$6.98
Jesus clarifies that it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles a person
In Matthew 15:11, Jesus clarifies that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of it. This statement goes against the beliefs of the Pharisees, who believed that ritual hand-washing before eating demonstrated religious faithfulness. Jesus refutes this idea, stating that it is not physical actions, but the words that come from within that truly defile a person.
Jesus explains that what comes out of the mouth originates from the heart, and it is this inner condition that defiles a person. He lists evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander as examples of what defiles an individual. These sinful words and actions contaminate and defile both the individual and others, rendering them "loathsome to God".
The apostle Paul elaborates on this idea in Romans 10:9–10, stating that it is with the heart that one believes and is justified, and with the mouth that one professes faith and is saved. This reinforces the notion that it is not external rituals or practices that determine a person's spiritual state, but rather the condition of their heart and the words that flow from it.
Jesus' teaching in Matthew 15:11 highlights the importance of inner purity and the need for salvation through mercy and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is only through this spiritual transformation that one can be truly pure and undefiled, as outward appearances can be deceiving, as demonstrated by the Pharisees' outward piety masking their inner corruption.
Therefore, Jesus' statement in Matthew 15:11 serves as a powerful reminder that it is not external rituals or physical actions that define a person's spiritual state, but rather the words and actions that originate from within, revealing the true condition of their heart.
Innovative Solutions to Combat Pollution and Clean our Planet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander are what defile a person
The Bible, in Matthew 15:11, states that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of it. This teaching goes against the Pharisees' belief in outward purity, which included ritual hand-washing before eating. Jesus refutes this notion, stating that it is not what we swallow that pollutes our lives, but what comes out of our mouths.
The heart is the source of all evil, and it is from there that evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander originate. These are the true defilements of a person, as they reveal our inner condition, whether clean or defiled. It is these sinful actions and words that contaminate and corrupt, rendering us loathsome in the eyes of God.
The apostle Paul elaborates on this in Romans 10:9-10, explaining that it is with our hearts that we believe and are justified, and with our mouths that we profess our faith and are saved. It is not the food we eat or the rituals we perform that make us pure, but the condition of our hearts and the words that come from them.
Jesus further clarifies this point in Matthew 15:17-20, emphasizing that it is not physical actions like eating with unwashed hands that defile us, but rather the evil that originates in the heart and is expressed through our words and actions.
Therefore, we must focus on the purity of our hearts and the words we speak, rather than solely on external rituals or rules, to truly live a life that is undefiled and pleasing to God.
The Virgin River: Is It Polluted?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sinful words corrupt manners and render men loathsome to God
The phrase "what goes into the mouth defiles and pollutes us" refers to the idea that it is not what one consumes that makes them impure, but rather the words that come out of their mouth. This idea is expressed in Matthew 15:11, where it is stated that what comes out of the mouth defiles a person, and not what goes into it.
Jesus denounced the false idea that ritualized traditions, such as handwashing before meals, could make someone spiritually clean. He clarified that it is not what we consume that defiles us, but rather what comes out of our mouths. This includes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are the things that truly defile a person and make them loathsome in the sight of God.
The apostle Paul elaborates on this idea, explaining that it is through our words and actions that we express what is in our hearts. It is not enough to merely follow rules and rituals; true purity comes from having a heart that is saved and undefiled. This is achieved through the mercy of God and the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, it is important to guard our hearts and minds, ensuring that we do not allow wickedness or evil thoughts to take root. By doing so, we can avoid speaking sinful words that corrupt our manners and render us loathsome to God. Instead, we can use our words to profess our faith and bring glory to God.
Protecting Our Environment: Strategies Against Pollution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is not what people eat or drink that defiles them, but what comes out of their mouths
The quote "It is not what people eat or drink that defiles them, but what comes out of their mouths" is from the Bible, specifically Matthew 15:11. This verse emphasizes that it is not the physical act of eating or drinking that makes a person unclean or defiled, but rather the words that come out of their mouths.
In the context of the time, the Pharisees were known for their outward displays of piety, including ritual hand-washing before eating, which they believed demonstrated religious faithfulness. However, Jesus challenged this notion, stating that it is not the food or drink itself that defiles a person, but rather the words that come from their mouths, which reveal the true condition of their hearts.
The apostle Paul elaborates on this idea in Romans 10:9–10, where he writes, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." This suggests that what we say and the intentions behind our words are more important than ritualistic actions or what we consume.
Jesus further clarifies this point in Matthew 15:17–20, stating, "Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you." Here, Jesus explicitly mentions specific sins that originate from the heart and are expressed through our speech, emphasizing the importance of guarding our tongues and ensuring that our words align with a pure heart.
Therefore, the phrase "It is not what people eat or drink that defiles them, but what comes out of their mouths" serves as a reminder that our speech and the intentions behind our words carry greater weight in God's eyes than our dietary choices or external rituals. It calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that our words reflect a pure and undefiled inner life.
China's Pollution: Global Concern, Global Impact
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The phrase is derived from the Bible, specifically Matthew 15:11.
The phrase means that it is not what you eat or drink that makes you unclean or defiled, but rather the words that come out of your mouth.
The heart is the source of all evil, and the words that come out of the mouth reveal the inner condition of the heart.
Sinful words, evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
The phrase is part of Jesus' teaching on the importance of inner purity over outward ritualistic practices.
