But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
The saying was spoken in a dispute over ceremonial handwashing, where neglect of tradition was treated as defilement, while such observances drew minds away from the great principles of God's law. Defilement does not come from outside a person but from within, from the heart. What proceeds out of the mouth comes forth from the heart and defiles the person, so that words and deeds reveal the character of the heart and the spirit cherished within, as fruit reveals the root and streams reveal the fountain. What enters the mouth does not defile, for it goes into the belly and is cast out into the draught, so eating with unwashen hands does not defile a person. Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies, and these are what defile a person.
The unconverted and unchanged heart cultivates bitterness and enmity and sees everything in a perverted light. Dark, unpurified corners of the soul harbor thoughts and plans that defile, and for those inner sins there is no excuse. Feigned presentations of justice and righteousness are worthless, for even when true sentiments are cloaked they will be expressed when opportunity comes. God reads the thoughts and knows the underlying tendencies. Outward appearance does not prove purity, since those holding truth in unrighteousness can appear like the wise virgins while the heart remains defiled.
Human beings cannot now distinguish the wise from the foolish and have no authority to pronounce, for men cannot read the heart. Tares so closely resemble wheat that human beings are not to separate them. The angels know them by their fruits and will make no mistake when gathering the wheat from among the tares and rooting up the plants the heavenly Father has not planted. Repenting of particular outward acts is not enough; the heart itself must be cleansed and changed by reigning grace. When sin is removed, bitterness is seen in its hateful character and put away, only truth is expressed with refining heavenly principles and truth in the inward parts, the soul is moved by love and abhorrence of sin, and a partaker of the divine nature breaks with the enemy and reveals freedom from inner defilement by just principles, acts, and life.
The saying was spoken in a dispute over ceremonial handwashing, where neglect of tradition was treated as defilement, while such observances drew minds away from the great principles of God's law. Defilement does not come from outside a person but from within, from the heart. What proceeds out of the mouth comes forth from the heart and defiles the person, so that words and deeds reveal the character of the heart and the spirit cherished within, as fruit reveals the root and streams reveal the fountain. What enters the mouth does not defile, for it goes into the belly and is cast out into the draught, so eating with unwashen hands does not defile a person. Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies, and these are what defile a person.
The unconverted and unchanged heart cultivates bitterness and enmity and sees everything in a perverted light. Dark, unpurified corners of the soul harbor thoughts and plans that defile, and for those inner sins there is no excuse. Feigned presentations of justice and righteousness are worthless, for even when true sentiments are cloaked they will be expressed when opportunity comes. God reads the thoughts and knows the underlying tendencies. Outward appearance does not prove purity, since those holding truth in unrighteousness can appear like the wise virgins while the heart remains defiled.
Human beings cannot now distinguish the wise from the foolish and have no authority to pronounce, for men cannot read the heart. Tares so closely resemble wheat that human beings are not to separate them. The angels know them by their fruits and will make no mistake when gathering the wheat from among the tares and rooting up the plants the heavenly Father has not planted. Repenting of particular outward acts is not enough; the heart itself must be cleansed and changed by reigning grace. When sin is removed, bitterness is seen in its hateful character and put away, only truth is expressed with refining heavenly principles and truth in the inward parts, the soul is moved by love and abhorrence of sin, and a partaker of the divine nature breaks with the enemy and reveals freedom from inner defilement by just principles, acts, and life.