The things that proceed out of our mouths are the things of our hearts. These things defile us.

Jesus spoke to his disciples and said, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” Matthew 15:8

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fortifications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man.” Matthew 15:19

Jesus was speaking to the disciples about the Pharisees who questioned Him about the actions of his disciples. They wanted to know why his disciples did not wash their hands before eating bread and why they transgressed the tradition of the elders. Jesus, in turn, asked the Pharisees, why did they transgress the commandment of God because of their tradition.

He further shared with the disciples that tradition is not bad, religious customs and rituals in themselves are not bad unless they take precedence over the clear Word of God. If these things begin to replace the Word of God, they become a problem because they sever the connection with God, who wants our hearts.

When we speak, when our lips move, do they speak of the things of this world that have become our idols, things of our flesh, or do they speak of the things of God: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, products of a Spirit-filled life? (Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23)

Our lips expose who we are. Our outward appearance may suggest that we are followers of Christ. We go to church, honor our religious rituals and customs, quote scripture, and tell the world we love the Lord, but our lips betray us and expose us to the world. God sees how we behave. He hears what we say. And, is often displeased because all He asks of us is to give Him our hearts, to earnestly and honestly worship Him, and stop displaying actions that express our flesh and not his Word.

Ask yourself, am I more like the Pharisees than Christ? Am I a vain worshiper? Have my lips exposed me? What can I do to change who I am and how I act? Am I willing to repent and turn away from the things of the flesh today, and give my heart to the Lord?

Today is the best day of your life. Give your heart to the Lord and enter into a relationship with Him. We must deny your flesh every day and pick up your cross to become more like Christ.   Working to become mature, intentional Christian Warriors is a daily process and often a challenge to put our old man down.

My cousin summed it up – “Wonderful words don’t let your mouth profess one thing and your heart another ❤️”

Images – Google Images

Scriptures – Biblegateway.com

Resource – Life Principles Bible. Charles F. Stanley. NKJV

Visit my Young Christian Warriors site. The earliest Posts were written to help parents guide and train their children to access the Word of God to direct their steps. Later Posts were written for everyone, though I believe the Posts to parents can serve as reminders for all ages.

Related Posts:
YoungChristianWarriors.com
~Use Your Words, June 7, 2018
~God’s Promise – The Lord Determines Our Steps, April 27, 2018
~Thoughts as I work on Part 3, God’s Will – God’s Promises, April 19, 2018
~Change Your Filter, Hear His Voice, February 22, 2018
~Core Values Early In Life, September 23, 2017

Dailyinspiration-lisasthoughts.com
~Let the Spirit Lead-June 29, 2018
~God is With Us Even When We Feel We are Drowning, June 8, 2018
~The Lord’s Light Shines Through You, May 9, 2018
~Lack o Discipline, Part of Growing Peace and Holiness, May 5, 2018
~Free Will, Water Cooler Talk, and Responsibility, April 4, 2018
~Dying To Self, March 24, 2018
~Who Directs Your Steps? March 13, 2018

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