Greatness: Matthew 14-20Sample

Keyboard warriors are commonplace. They take to the internet, giving opinions on various matters in an aggressive and often offensive way. Typing is an easy way to voice opinions, especially when you don’t have to deal with the reaction of the person on the other side of the screen.

In today’s passage, Jesus is commenting on what truly defiles a person. He challenges the religious leaders, pointing out that you can do all the right things in following the law to keep yourself ‘clean’, but if the output of your mouth is not honouring to God, then that is what defiles you. Jesus makes it clear that what comes from the mouth proceeds from the heart, and He is concerned with the state of our hearts.

In our modern context, the ‘mouth’ still refers to the words we say, but it can also include what we type on our devices and how we conduct ourselves online. Do you find yourself using the same derogatory names or phrases that others use online, just because it is becoming the norm? Or maybe you don’t write or comment on posts or forums, but you use “like” or “react” buttons to respond to particular comments. Are you affirming content or views that are slanderous or bear false witness by your engagement?

Jesus is calling us to examine our words as a way of examining the condition of our hearts. Are your actions and words honouring to God and others? What do your words and interactions reveal about your heart for people? Is your heart compassionate towards others as Jesus is to you?

Today, ponder this: How are you honouring or dishonouring God through the words you speak or type, or the comments you like?