What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them

 Matthew 15:10-20

“Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Jesus never hesitated to denounce tradition wherever it watered down or undermined scriptural principles. The ruling on vows is a case in point. People were allowed exemption from their duty to maintain their parents if they dedicated the money to God. That way they could still enjoy the proceeds. It is not simply 'clean hands' but a 'clean heart' (motive and intent) that matters.

Why?

Everyone should keep their heart clean, follow the way of the Lord and let the Holy Spirit to remind us get rid of evil mind or grief mind.

Wash hands before eating are good for our health, but more important is the motivation and intention, what we like to show up or to honor the name of the Lord.

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法利賽人質疑耶穌的門徒吃飯不洗手。

吃的東西會排出來。出口的言語因為人的心顯出人的污穢，使人變壞。人的好壞是看人的心。耶穌關心人的內心如何?守禁令不能代表人內心的是否潔淨。

法利賽人所行的守規定，卻不能叫人變好，所以這是指人的栽種，用人外在的行為企圖得神喜悅。這是浪費時間、金錢，沒有好結果，都要被拔除，不是神栽種的，又好像瞎子帶瞎子都要掉在坑裏。

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How?

Be aware in this generation to show our love to people and with a pure heart before the Lord.