Inward purity

Jesus was teaching in Capernaum when a group of scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem challenged Him with the question, "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of th elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread." Jesus used that question to teach a great principle: "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man" (Matthew 15:11). Even His disciples didn't understand what He meant, so steeped were they in the man-made traditions attached to living the law of Moses. He explained, "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 15:17-20).

This very clear statement supports the eternal truth "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Our thoughts reflect (or create) our true character and degree of inward purity. If our thoughts are noble and rich, if they focus on that which is virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praisworthy, then our character is built of virtue, beauty, love, that which is good, and that which is of great worth. The opposite is just as true. An evil mind will produce an evil character. Such a person may outwardly try to appear to be righteous, as did the Pharisees, but it is impossible to consistently hide a mind filled with corruption. One's true character will eventually be known. And most importantly, nothing can be hidden from the Lord.