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Matthew 15:18-20 The Heart
Last week, we learned that problems come from the heart. It is not the things that we eat, but rather the things that come out of our heart that defiles us. We are created with an outer person and an inner person. The outer person is how we see, hear, taste, touch, smell. The inner person is the heart, where we filter, assess, and respond to the circumstances we face in life. Our heart is very important to God because in the heart are found: our feelings and emotions; our deep rooted desires and longings; and our foundational beliefs and worship. It is our truest self. And God wants us to love Him with all of our heart.
18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Matthew 15:18-20
The heart is where we filter the circumstances and influences we face in life. The heart shapes our behavior and habits. While our hearts were originally made to worship God, by nature our hearts are selfish. We want to fulfill our desires “for myself, on my terms, and in my timing”. In this way we create idols from our desires. However, the gospel is for the heart. Through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus has accomplished for us the power to change. When we turn to Jesus, our hearts can find all of our desires are met in Him.
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
Last week, we learned that problems come from the heart. It is not the things that we eat, but rather the things that come out of our heart that defiles us. We are created with an outer person and an inner person. The outer person is how we see, hear, taste, touch, smell. The inner person is the heart, where we filter, assess, and respond to the circumstances we face in life. Our heart is very important to God because in the heart are found: our feelings and emotions; our deep rooted desires and longings; and our foundational beliefs and worship. It is our truest self. And God wants us to love Him with all of our heart.
18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Matthew 15:18-20
The heart is where we filter the circumstances and influences we face in life. The heart shapes our behavior and habits. While our hearts were originally made to worship God, by nature our hearts are selfish. We want to fulfill our desires “for myself, on my terms, and in my timing”. In this way we create idols from our desires. However, the gospel is for the heart. Through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus has accomplished for us the power to change. When we turn to Jesus, our hearts can find all of our desires are met in Him.
Discussion Questions
- What are the influences that are impacting your life and heart right now?
- Pleasure
- Freedom
- Love
- Significance
- Respect
- Control
- Power
- Peace
- Happiness
- Comfort
- Meaning
- Success:
- Which of the above desires tend to drive your thinking and actions - why do I do what I do? Share the top 3.
- At what point does your desire become an idol? What behavior signals to you that the idol is ruling?
- How does the gospel address your idol?
- How can you learn to trust the Lord in this area?
- How can we encourage one another this week?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?