Think You’re Righteous? Your Words Might Prove Otherwise

From the beginning of time humanity has sought to define itself by rituals traditions and external practices. Throughout history religious groups have constructed systems that revolve around outward observances believing that external acts of purification could lead to an internal state of holiness. Christ’s teachings in the Gospel challenged these assumptions and called people to recognize that true purity is not about what enters the body but what emerges from the heart. The words of Jesus in Matthew 15:11 remind us that spiritual cleanliness cannot be attained by observing mere external regulations. Rather it is the condition of the heart that determines whether a person is truly clean or unclean in the sight of God.

In this passage Jesus directly confronts the religious leaders of His time who were deeply invested in ritual purification. The Pharisees and scribes accused Jesus’ disciples of failing to wash their hands before eating a meal a practice they considered essential for maintaining purity. They saw ritual washing as a safeguard against defilement and believed that failing to observe it would make a person spiritually contaminated. But Jesus saw through their legalism and exposed the true issue at hand. He made it clear that eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person because uncleanness is not a matter of food or external objects. Rather what comes out of a person their words and actions is what truly defiles them.

This teaching was radical for the time and it remains radical today. Human nature is inclined to look for external solutions to internal problems. People often assume that following religious customs engaging in specific rituals or avoiding certain foods can make them right with God. But Christ dismantles this idea and shifts the focus to the heart. The issue is not about whether someone eats clean or unclean foods but about whether their words and deeds reflect a heart that is aligned with God.

The reason why this teaching is so powerful is that it demands a deeper level of self-examination. It is easy to conform to outward religious expectations while harboring hatred envy pride or deceit within. Many people take pride in their religious observances and feel superior because they adhere to traditions that others do not follow. Yet Jesus reveals that true righteousness is not about appearing clean on the outside but being pure in the heart. A person who meticulously follows rituals but speaks with malice or spreads falsehood is far more defiled than someone who eats without following ceremonial handwashing.

Consider the example of a person who faithfully attends church prays publicly and engages in acts of charity yet habitually speaks with cruelty and dishonesty. They may be viewed as devout because of their religious actions but their words betray the true state of their heart. If their speech is filled with gossip lies or judgment their spiritual condition is unclean regardless of their outward practices. This aligns perfectly with Christ’s warning that what defiles a person is not what they consume but what proceeds from their mouth.

Another illustration can be found in the way society often elevates outward success and moral appearance over the inner condition of the heart. A person may refrain from eating certain foods or participate in specific traditions believing these practices make them righteous. Yet if they harbor resentment seek revenge or manipulate others for their own gain they are spiritually unclean. What matters is not the external adherence to rules but the nature of one’s character as revealed through their words and actions.

This principle applies not only to individuals but to entire religious systems that emphasize rituals over transformation. Many traditions have established dietary restrictions washing ceremonies and specific rules about what is clean or unclean. While these practices may have historical significance they cannot purify the soul. A person who meticulously follows every religious rule but speaks with hatred and condemnation is still defiled. Jesus calls for a transformation that goes beyond external compliance. He calls for a heart that reflects love mercy and truth.

Christ’s message in Matthew 15:11 is a challenge to all believers to examine the way they live their faith. Do they measure their righteousness by external rituals or by the words and attitudes they express daily? This teaching forces us to question whether we are more focused on religious observance than on cultivating a pure heart. A person who speaks words of encouragement peace and truth is demonstrating true spiritual cleanliness while one who speaks with malice deception and arrogance reveals a heart that is defiled.

We see the impact of this teaching in daily life when we encounter people who claim to follow God yet use their words to tear others down. A person who engages in slander deceit or harsh criticism is not demonstrating a clean heart even if they follow every religious tradition to the letter. Their words reflect their true condition. The same is true in reverse. A person who may not follow certain external religious practices but speaks with kindness patience and wisdom reflects a heart that is closer to God.

Jesus consistently emphasized the importance of the heart over outward appearances. He rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy because they focused on external purity while neglecting justice mercy and faithfulness. They prided themselves on ritual observance yet their words and actions betrayed hearts filled with greed and self-righteousness. This warning applies to us today. It is easy to become consumed with religious performance and forget that what matters most is the way we speak and act.

To fully embrace Christ’s teaching believers must cultivate hearts that produce words of life. This requires self-examination repentance and a commitment to align one’s speech with the character of God. Instead of focusing on external practices believers must focus on purifying their hearts through humility love and truth. The words a person speaks should be a reflection of a transformed life one that seeks to build others up rather than tear them down.

The way people speak is a powerful indicator of their spiritual state. Jesus made it clear that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart. If a person’s words are filled with bitterness anger and deceit then their heart is not clean regardless of their outward religious observance. On the other hand if their words bring healing encouragement and wisdom then they reflect a heart that is truly aligned with God.

This principle also challenges us to reconsider the way we judge others. Many people are quick to condemn others for not following specific religious traditions yet they ignore the uncleanliness of their own words. Christ’s teaching reminds us that it is not adherence to rituals that determines one’s purity but the content of one’s character as expressed through speech. Those who claim to be righteous but speak with cruelty and dishonesty are self-deceived.

The modern world is filled with examples of this truth. Social media is a place where people often reveal the true condition of their hearts through their words. Many who profess faith in God use their platforms to spread division hatred and lies. Despite their religious claims their words show that they are spiritually unclean. Conversely there are those who may not display outward religiosity but speak with wisdom and kindness demonstrating a heart that reflects true purity.

The call to obey this teaching is clear. Those who follow Christ must prioritize the transformation of their hearts so that their words reflect righteousness. It is not enough to engage in religious rituals if one’s speech contradicts the love of God. True faith is demonstrated through words and actions that bring light to the world. This means choosing to speak with grace rather than judgment truth rather than deception and love rather than condemnation.

What defiles a person is not what they consume but what they express. The measure of spiritual cleanliness is found in the heart and is revealed through words. As Christ-followers the challenge is to abandon external legalism and embrace the deeper work of heart transformation. Only then can one truly be clean in the sight of God.

Jesus further emphasized this teaching in Mark 7:18-23 reminding His disciples that food does not defile a person because it does not enter the heart but passes through the body. Instead He pointed out that evil thoughts sexual immorality theft murder adultery greed wickedness deceit lustful desires envy slander pride and foolishness all come from within and these are what truly defile a person. This powerful truth underscores the need for heart transformation above all else.