M A T T H E W  15. V10-20

There are two topics which the Lord Jesus speaks about in this passage; false doctrine and the human heart.

The Apostles were surprised by the strong words Jesus used about the Pharisees and their traditions.  Regarding false doctrine, our Lord said there was a duty to oppose it, so that is final destruction is sure, and that its teachers should be not listened to.  Every plant that my Father has not planted, shall be uprooted. Do not listen to them.

I wonder if Church leaders have read this passage, as they indulge in false doctrine, and do so blatantly.

The Apostles had probably been used to hear Jesus saying they were hypocrites, and accusing them of not keeping the Commandments of God. They wondered if Jesus knew the Pharisees would be offended.

Like a plant to which no mercy should be shown, it was a plant not planted by God, and should be uprooted, whatever trouble it  may cause.  It was no charity to spare it because it injured the souls of people.  The fact that  those in high office of the Church planted it, did not matter if it conflicted with the Word of God, it should be ignored, opposed and rejected.

The Apostles had to understand and accept,  that it was right to resist all things that were not of Scripture, and no notice should be taken of those who persisted in false doctrine  Soner or later, all false doctrine would be stopped and made shameful, only the Word of God shall stand.  How clearly the Lord is speaking to the Church of  to-day, but it will not be acted upon.

There are lessons for all in the words of Jesus, which shows light on the duty of Christians.  Let them be taken, it was obedience to those words which led to the Reformation.

We use boldness as duty in resisting false teaching. Be no fear of giving offence, fear of censure, should make us stop speaking, when God’s word is in peril.

If we are true followers of God, we should be speaking out. Be firm witnesses against error.  Truth should never be suppressed because men are weak and false.

There is danger if we ignore false teaching, and if we do not give up their delusions

No false delicacy or mock humility, should make us  shrink from leaving the false ministrations of a minister, to contradict the Word of God.  It is to our peril if we submit to non-Scriptural teaching.  As the saying stated, it can never be right to follow a blind man into a ditch

We are not to fight with worldly weapons, but wait, watch and pray, preach and protest, and truth will prevail.

Turning, to the heart, the Lord state it is the true source of all sin and defilement.  The Pharisees told of depending on meats and drink, of body washing and purifications.  They held that these matters were pure and clean, and in God’s sight, all who reject are unclean,  Jesus told of His rejection of those words, and told His Apostles, the real defilement was not outside of man but within his heart.  Out of the heart comes evil thoughts and deeds and false witnesses

Those who serve God need far more than bodily washings, there has to be a clean heart.  Jesus knew what people had in them, all the bad, and the good.

Christians should make a resolution, that in all our religious being, the state of our hearts shall be so important. Do not come to Church, and pretend to be religious, look deeper, and have a heart which is faithful to God.  A right  heart is one with the blood of Christ touching our hearts, blessed by the Holy Spirit.  Do not rest until God has created a clean heart and made all things new.

Hearts should be kept with diligence all the days of our lives.  The devil and the world combined, cannot do as much as our hearts will if we watch and pray.  Happy are they who remember the words of Solomon. The one who trusted on his own heart is a fool.

May the Lord bless your heart and may God’s Holy Name be Glorified