The Word of Truth that I want to share with you this week comes from Matthew 15:17-20.

And it says, “Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.’” Matthew 15:17-20 (NKJV)

Do you ever forget to wash your hands before eating? Oh, I think that we all forget occasionally. I am sure that it is a good thing to wash your hands before eating, but, according to Jesus, there are some other things that are far more important.

The religious leaders during the time Jesus lived were very concerned about cleanliness. They had many religious laws and traditions which they followed to make sure that nothing unclean went into their mouth. One day some of these religious leaders asked Jesus why his disciples were not keeping their tradition of washing their hands before they ate. (I guess Jesus’ disciples sometimes forgot like you and I do.) Jesus answered these religious leaders by telling them that what comes out of your mouth is more important than what you put into it. Can I get an AMEN! He said that the words that come out of your mouth come from your heart and those words show whether you are clean or unclean.

I am sure that you have heard the children’s rhyme that says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” That sounds nice, but it just isn’t true. Words can hurt. We can all remember a time when we have been hurt by someone’s mean and hateful words. God hears every word we say and he knows every thought we have in our heart. It is very important for us to be careful about the things we think and say, because hateful words come from an unclean heart. And, That’s my lesson. Lets work on having a clean heart and loving one another as Christ loves us.