by[19] “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” – Matthew 15:19 (NIV)
If I may ask, what is your view on cleanliness? Is it about keeping where you are neat? Sure, it entails that. But do you know that people live in nice homes and vicinities, yet they are still unclean when God views them? Think about the rottenness in worldly culture. People expose their bodies online; others become insulting keyboard soldiers, name it. There are a lot of evil things going on in this world.
In Matthew 15:18, Jesus defined what it means to be clean before God. It has everything to do with the heart and the mouth, not the physicals, although they are also important. Jesus said that out of the heart proceed evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Why didn’t He add “and” before saying “slander”? It’s because that list is to mention a few. There are more evils other than that list.
When a person’s heart is corrupted, then all these evils become his lifestyle. So, people, especially unbelievers, sin not because they intentionally decide to but because their hearts are corrupted by the evils in the world. Do they need help? Yes, but not character change. They need Jesus to cleanse them from within, and I must say that that is one of the primary reasons why the Church exists in this world.
If you take care of a person’s heart, don’t you think it’ll affect the physical life? Yes, it will because out of the heart comes the issues of life (see Proverbs 4:23). So, as a believer, guard your heart against all forms of corruption and bitterness. But as an unbeliever, receive Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour and focus on pursuing a deeper intimacy with Him.
You are a blessing.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your grace and peace in my life. Help me to guard my heart from all forms of corruption. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2026 – 178
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