And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. Matthew 15:10-15

Previously we read where Jesus said “They honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8) Here again we see Jesus explaining more of what he means, that sin is a heart issue, your covenant with God is a heart issue, and you need a new and clean heart (Ezekiel 36:26) you need to become Born Again (John 3:3) sin is what defiles a person, not what they eat

This is also a display of the New Covenant, as the Jews were more concerned with Jesus keeping the Dietary (Kosher) Laws, rather than understanding the sin in their heart is what condemns them. Jesus said “Hear and understand, it’s not what goes in the mouth that defiles a person, its what comes out of your mouth, that defiles a person” Sin is a heart issue, as Christ went into further explanation in Matthew 5, if you lust after someone you have already committed adultery in your heart, if you hate someone, you have already committed murder in your heart, ect

The Pharisees were offended, of course, because they were all about religion and not a relationship with God. Many people today are still offended by the words of Christ, you can’t work your way into Heaven, you can’t earn your salvation, you need a New Heart and to be Born Again through Christ

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. Matthew 15:16-20

The religious leaders were more concerned about Christ washing his hands, then washing away their sins with repentance. Jesus said “Are you still without understanding?” Jesus is like C’mon people, how hard is this for you to understand? But the problem is not the logic but our hearts. People love their sin more than God, people actually love their religion more than they love God. As Jesus taught us evilness begins and comes from the heart, this is why we need to become Born Again

The world will tell you “Follow your heart”, this is the worst advice you could ever receive, as the Bible tells us “The heart is wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9) you need a New Heart, you need to become Born Again through Jesus Christ, Amen!