Matthew 15; Mark 7 – October 18

Jesus says it isn’t the things that a man puts into his mouth to eat that defile (pollute, make unclean) him, but it’s the things that come out of a man’s mouth because the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart. Religion likes to set up outward procedures so we can feel good about ourselves as we do them, but God is concerned with our heart. Jesus said in Matthew 15:19, “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies (evil speaking).” The Word of God has the power to change our heart as we receive it with meekness and truly believe it.

Jesus said in John 15:3 (Amplified version), “You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].”

James 1:21-22 says, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”