In the United States today, we are celebrating Memorial Day. It is a time to remember all of those who have fallen defending our freedom. There will be ceremonies (although subdued because of COVID) at veteran memorials. People will also celebrate the unofficial start to summer by grilling in their backyards. While some will make an issue of what to eat, as believers, we are free from the diet police.
Matthew 15:11
“It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
It’s What Comes Out
The Jewish diet is very strict. The Pharisees made it even more rigid. Defiling yourself by eating something unclean was one of the worst sins you could commit. Jesus turned that thinking upside down when He told the crowd, “It’s not what goes in, but what comes out that defiles you.” By this, Jesus meant our words, not our food consumption. Last week I wrote about unwholesome words coming out of our mouths. Jesus backs that up by saying it is a sin that needs to be confessed.
Majoring in the Minors
Too many people obsess over their diets. Vegetarian or Carnivore camps have turned what they eat into a religion. On top of that, they bash those who don’t believe the way they do. Jesus tells us the bashing is the real sin here, not what you eat. It is too easy to fall into the trap the Pharisees did, majoring in the minors. It is so important that we focus on the main thing as believers, and that is being obedient to Christ.
Free From the Diet Police
Be considerate of what you say to others. Not only does it tear them down, instead of building them up, but it also causes you to stumble into sin. Let your words lead with love so that they can glorify God. Put more thought into what comes out of your mouth than what goes in. It will make your world a better place and prevent a wall from being built between you and God.