Daily Journal: 16 November

“Wash Your Mouth Out With Soap”

I remember the days when parents would threaten to wash their children’s mouth out with soap when descent or disrespect interrupted harmonious relationships. We don’t like to parent that way nowadays, but children learnt boundaries, respect and the importance of harmony, the need to mind their manners and to think of others.

Matthew 15:11 (NLT)

It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

We should mind the state of our heart in order to mind the state of our words and our treatment of others.

Matthew 15:17-19 (NLT)

“Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

Even in self-defence, we should remain aware of our internal dialogue and intentions that might undermine the righteous state of our heart.