The religious leaders in those days had made people to believe that once they attend the synagogue regularly and observe all religious rites, they are justified in the presence of God even if they still speak unedifying language, think evil, do evil, commit murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies.
They hid from the people the fact that the mouth and the heart are the factories of evil thought and sin against God. True worship and fear of God was eliminated and replaced with the fear of religious leaders and the tradition of men.
The Shocking Revelation
Christ released a 'bombshell' to dispel the false teaching and declared the true mind of God as you are reading in this post right now. 'Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mough, this defileth a man' (Matt. 15;11)
The truth which had been hidden from the people was boldly exposed in vs 9 'But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men'.
As a Pastor and Minister what have you been teaching your congregation? Do you still teach them about heart and mouth purity? Haven't you replaced sound teaching with religious rites of worship and payment of tithes and offerings?
The Unfailing Truth
Without fear or favour, Christ declared the mind of God in vs 17 'Do not ye understand that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly and is cast out into the draught?
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man....'.
The shocking revelation was made to correct popular misconception, teaching and deceit. No amount of religious duties can cancel God's demand for purity in heart and conduct. Keep your heart with all diligence and remember always that out of multitude of words sin multiplies.
Decide from today to turn away from vain worship and seek to please God in holiness and integrity. That's how not to join multitudes in evil.
Be not like the horse or the mull which has no understanding!
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