The Heart Of The Words We Speak

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!” When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Mark 7:14-23

According to Jesus, the food we eat is not such a big deal compared to the words we speak. He said that things entering a man from the outside can't defile him—because they pass through the digestive system and are eliminated. But the words we speak show what is truly in our hearts.

In Jesus' day, people ate healthy food, and the God-given elimination system was enough to get any toxins and impurities out of the system. Today however, we might eat highly processed food that leaves plenty of toxins in our system. This food can defile our bodies because our livers, kidneys, bowels, lungs and skin can't eliminate the toxins fast enough. In this way, we might poison the body, but its nothing compared to the poisoning of the soul that happens when our words are unhealthy.

Let us realize that to speak unhealthy words is a lot more damaging to us spiritually and eternally than to eat unhealthy food here and now. I am not recommending we eat unhealthy food—far from it. But the very speaking of unhealthy words defiles our heart, and makes us more likely to speak them or even put them into action next time. On the other hand, training ourselves to speak words of truth, of faith, of love, if mixed with humility, can and will change our hearts.