Tracing Character to Its Source

GOLDEN TEXT: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” —Proverbs 4:23

MATTHEW 15:1-11, 18-20

THE need for heart purity on the part of those who profess to be followers of Christ is the essential thought emphasized in today’s lesson. This is an important consideration for the Christian at all times, and especially so at the beginning of a year. Well might all of the Lord’s people earnestly pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”—Psalm 139:23,24

The scribes and Pharisees made much of forms and ceremonies, and sought to condemn Jesus because he did not insist that his disciples conform to “the traditions of the elders” relating to ceremonial hand-washing before eating. Jesus promptly reminded them that they made void the commandments of God by their traditions, citing as an example their hypocritical method of setting, aside their obligation to parents.

Another translation somewhat clarifies Jesus’ statement to the Pharisees concerning this particular tradition. We quote: “But you say, If anyone tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honor his father.” Apparently the religious rulers of Jesus’ day were so corrupt that they were accepting from people a portion of what properly belonged to their father or mother, or both, on the pretense that such was a gift to God, and therefore relieved the children of further responsibility to parents. For this, Jesus called them hypocrites.

Jesus then quoted Isaiah 29:13, and applied it to the scribes and Pharisees. This prophecy describes a class which draws near to the Lord with their lips, yet their hearts are far from him. Jesus quoted the prophet as saying that these teach the “commandments of men.” Isaiah called it “the precept of men,” and explained that this “precept” was one which inculcates fear, or dread, of the Lord.

While Jesus applied Isaiah’s prophecy to the hypocritical religious rulers of his day, it doubtless has a broader application, being descriptive of all, at any time, who use human traditions to replace the Word of God—especially if those traditions tend to substitute fear for love as a motive for the worship and service of God.

Having made it clear to the scribes and Pharisees that this selfish and hypocritical distortion of God’s Law was far more reprehensible than a failure to wash one’s hands before eating, he then explained what constitutes true purity, and that it is not produced by ceremonial hand-washing.

Turning from the scribes and Pharisees, and addressing the multitude, Jesus said, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh. This means that one’s words reveal his true heart condition. If one’s speech is unholy, it reflects an impure condition of heart.

God’s judgment is based upon the heart condition of those who profess to serve him. If words of bitterness and impurity flow out from the heart it means that one is defiled in the sight of God. Besides, such unholy words have an unwholesome influence upon others, especially if they are not on the alert to close their minds to them.

How important it is, then, at the beginning of the new year, and at all times, to keep our hearts “with all diligence.” Impurity and bitterness of heart will lead to spiritual blindness, and to an unjust judgment of our brethren. It is important, therefore, to cleanse our hearts of the first beginnings of sin. It is easier to keep our hearts pure than it is to purify them after they have become defiled.

Right habits of thought are essential to purity of heart. The Apostle Paul wrote: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”—Phil. 4:8

We are living in a world of sin, but we are not to be of the world. Satan is ever on the alert for an opportunity to poison our minds with evil surmising, particularly concerning our brethren in Christ. Our only safety is in keeping our hearts pure, and one of the strong defenses against the evil attacks made against our hearts is to “think on these things.”

QUESTIONS

What is the important practical application of today’s lesson?

Explain what Jesus meant by his statement recorded in verse 5.

In what manner does that which comes out of the mouth defile a man?

Upon what does God base his judgment of those who profess to serve him?

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