When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear! Mark 7:14-16, NKJV
As a piece of background here, Jesus was talking to His listeners about ritual washing. There was a certain way each cup and dish had to be washed, a specific cleansing for hands before eating. Now, washing the dishes before eating from them and washing your hands before meals is a good idea, and that wasn't what Jesus was railing to them about. They were more concerned about the rituals and not careful at all about what spewed from their mouths.
I need a show of hands out there: Have any of you ever let something slip out of your mouth that you wish you hadn't? A hasty, unthinking word? Cussing? Cruelty? Yes, my hand is up as high as any of yours.
It's difficult to put a leash on the tongue, isn't it? We justify ourselves by calling it "plain speaking," or "saying what we think," or "this is the way I am. Take me or leave me."
Which is a lousy excuse for cutting people down in one way or another--or, worse by far, disrespecting God. Did you ever think about swearing in that way? Did you ever think that by cutting one of God's creations (another human being) "down to size" you were hurting Him too?
On our way to Golgotha with Jesus, let's lay aside the words that dishonor God.
Father, forgive us when we forget to bridle the most damaging part of our anatomy. Help us to make our words ones that heal instead of injure, uplift rather than drag down, and praises rather than curses. It can be a hard habit to break, Lord. We will need Your help on our way to Your way. Thank You, Lord.
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