Connect Matthew 15:17 with James 3:6 on the power of the tongue. Opening Scriptures • Matthew 15:17: “Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated?” • James 3:6: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body; it corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” Tracing the Flow of Jesus’ Teaching (Matthew 15) • Jesus is confronting religious leaders who focus on external rituals. • He reminds the disciples that food follows a simple path: mouth → stomach → waste. • The literal digestive process proves that physical intake is temporary and external. • By contrast, what flows out of the mouth reveals the enduring state of the heart (vv. 18-20). James Amplifies the Point • James, the half-brother of Jesus, zeroes in on that “outflow.” • Though small, the tongue: – Ignites like fire—spreading rapidly and consuming widely. – “Corrupts the whole body,” showing that defilement works from the inside out. – Is “set on fire by hell,” exposing demonic influence when speech is left unchecked. Connecting the Two Passages 1. Jesus: external intake never defiles; inner overflow does. 2. James: the tongue is the chief channel of that inner overflow. 3. Together: heart → tongue → life direction. – If the heart is pure, words edify (Proverbs 15:4). – If the heart is wicked, words destroy (Proverbs 12:18). Supporting Scriptures • Proverbs 18:21 — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” • Luke 6:45 — “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” • Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up.” • Psalm 141:3 — “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” Practical Takeaways • Guard the heart first; guarded hearts produce guarded tongues. • Slow down before speaking (James 1:19). • Replace corrupt talk with grace-filled words that minister life. • Confess and repent quickly when words wound. • Saturate the mind with Scripture; it will season speech with truth. |
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