Defiled
Notes
Transcript
1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” 10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” 15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
Introduction:
κοινόω: to cause something to become unclean, profane, or ritually unacceptable.
We can understand how it’s used better, when we understand it’s relationship to the word fellowship, where the Greek KOINONIA is used.
In the case of KOINONIA, our English fellowship means to have things in common.
To defile, may have the idea of having a commonality with things that are outside what is religiously acceptable.
I. The absence of ritualism does not defile.
I. The absence of ritualism does not defile.
I. The absence of ritualism does not defile.
I. The absence of ritualism does not defile.
2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
Here’s the accusation of the Scribes and Pharisees.
Jesus refutes their accusation.
11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
The Apostle Paul says it this way in...
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Phil
Traditions can be good until they become the way.
Dead orthodoxy
Modern Pharisees
II. Blind Deference to leadership breeds partiality.
II. Blind Deference to leadership breeds partiality.
The Disciples reveal an interesting perspective they held, that Jesus would rebuke!
12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
Only Matthew reveals this, Mark’s Gospel leaves it out.
This seems to be the case with many modern church leaders.
Unchecked allegiance leads to cultism.
III. Defilement and it’s fruit.
III. Defilement and it’s fruit.
Jesus spells it out.
17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
Our actions must be consistent with a changed heart or we defile ourselves.
That is, we betray our heart.
There is much traditionalism and religiosity today in Christian circles.
Mankind has always gravitated toward it, from pagan religions to Christianity.
And, it always draws people away from the simplicity of faith in Christ.
That is why Jesus was so adamant about it!
We must be careful that traditions do not become the faith, and we must beware of following those who promote them!