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What does the Bible say about what defiles a man?

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The Bible teaches that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of it (Matthew 15:10-11).

According to Matthew 15:10-11, Jesus explicitly states that it's not what enters the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of it. This clarifies that true defilement originates from within a person, specifically from the heart. Jesus emphasizes that the religious focus on dietary laws is misplaced; the internal condition of a person is what truly matters. In this context, defilement is connected to a person's thoughts and intentions rather than merely external factors. This teaching insists that moral purity comes from one's inner being rather than from adherence to ritualistic practices.

Furthermore, Jesus elaborates in Matthew 15:18-19 that the evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies that come from the heart are what defile a person. The focus, therefore, is on the need for inner transformation and a renewed heart, as external practices will not rectify the spiritual state of an individual. The heart is the source of both good and evil, and thus understanding this distinction is vital for all believers.
Scripture References: Matthew 15:10-11, Matthew 15:18-19, Matthew 15:18

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