Defiled People

A defiled person is someone who is spoiled. Not the spoiled where they get whatever they want, but like the type of spoiled... like milk. If you are familiar with spoiled milk, it's disgusting. Did you know that we, as humans can be defiled? I bet that is what one thing you don't want...to be defiled.

So what defiles a person? What defiles a person is what comes out of the mouth. Jesus said this to the disciples: "Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiled a person." (Matthew 15:10-11) It's not about what goes into the mouth, and it will never be about what goes into the mouth. It will always be what comes out of the mouth. What comes out of the mouth is usually what is on our hearts.

There was some controversy with what Jesus had said. The Pharisees were offended when they heard what Jesus had said. Then Jesus answered with: "Every plant that my heavenly Father has no planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." (Matthew 15:13-14) I love that. Every plant that the Heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let me tell you, once we make the decision to make Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior we will never be rooted up. This scripture is proof to false things that give us false fulfillment in this life. The things we try to do to quickly pleasure us are on things that can be taken right away from us and rooted up. Christ, and the fulfillment and the Holy Spirit that is in us, never leaves and will never be rooted up. Find some encouragement in that! Jesus is also reminding the disciples to just leave the Pharisees alone. He tells them that they are blind, and when the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit. Again, Jesus is the one and only way.

Peter was still a little bit confused and wanted this all explained in a parable so Jesus explained it in parable. And he said, "Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach an is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeded from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone." (Matthew 15:16-20)

I really love how Jesus had the patience to explain this in a parable when the disciples didn't understand what was going on. Jesus is saying that out of the heart, a lot of bad things can come out of, and that is what defiles a person. It's not about what comes in. We can pour all the good things we ever want or need into our mouths and if nothing every good comes out then what is the point? It's like eating when you're already full or eating a huge meal right before thanksgiving dinner. If nothing ever good comes out, you're a defiled person. Like spoiled milk. 

My encouragement with this post is to so encourage you to watch what comes out of your mouth. What comes out is what ultimately matters. It's not always easy. As humans we like to please people, and make people laugh and sometimes in order to do those things, we have to say things out of character. When we say things that are out of character it might be pleasing but it's not everlasting. I challenge you to be the same with all people. Be the same person talking to you friends as you are when you talk to a professor. Be the same person when you talk to your pastor and a coach. It's hard, and might seem impossible, but nothing ever worth it is easy. Start practicing that today and you will become a much more genuine person and things in your life will change for the better. It might not seem like it temporarily but eternally it will matter. I promise.