What does "enters the mouth" symbolize in our daily spiritual practices? The Original Statement “ ‘What goes into the mouth does not defile a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.’ ” (Matthew 15:11) Literal Meaning in Its Context • Jesus addressed Pharisaic rules about ritual hand-washing and dietary regulations. • He affirmed that physical food, though it enters, passes through, and is “eliminated” (Matthew 15:17), cannot stain the soul. • Sin’s origin is the heart (Matthew 15:18-19); therefore, external foods are morally neutral. Symbolic Application Today “Enters the mouth” pictures everything we allow to enter our lives: 1. Information • News, social media, entertainment (Psalm 101:3). • Books, podcasts, conversations (Proverbs 4:23). 2. Influences • Peer pressure and cultural trends (Romans 12:2). • Ideologies that oppose biblical truth (Colossians 2:8). 3. Nourishment • God’s Word itself: “Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words became to me a joy” (Jeremiah 15:16). • Spiritual disciplines—fellowship, worship, preaching (Acts 2:42). If “food” symbolizes intake, the passage teaches that: • Intake alone does not make us unclean; it is our response that matters. • Guarding the heart is primary, since actions flow from it (Proverbs 4:23; Mark 7:20-23). Practical Steps to Guard What Enters • Filter media choices through Philippians 4:8. • Start each day with Scripture before screens (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4). • Memorize verses to counter ungodly ideas (Psalm 119:11). • Cultivate edifying friendships (1 Corinthians 15:33). • Evaluate hobbies and habits: do they stir lust, anger, or covetousness? (James 1:14-15). • Invite accountability—trusted believers who ask how you’re feeding your mind (Hebrews 10:24-25). Encouragement for Daily Living • God supplies pure spiritual food that satisfies (Isaiah 55:2). • As we feast on His truth, our words and deeds reflect His grace (Ephesians 4:29). • “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8), letting wholesome intake overflow into God-honoring output each day. |
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