Scripture Reading:
Matthew 15:10–20
Key Verse:
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9)
What does this passage teach us?
Verses 10–20. There are two striking sayings of the Lord Jesus in this passage. One respects false doctrine. The other respects the human heart. Both of them deserve the closest attention.
Respecting false doctrine, our Lord declares, that it is a duty to oppose it, that its final destruction is sure, and that its teachers ought to be forsaken. He says, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. Leave them alone.”
It is clear from examination of the passage, that the disciples were surprised at our Lord’s strong language about the Pharisees and their traditions. They had probably been accustomed from their youth to regard them as the wisest and best of men. They were startled to hear their Master denouncing them as hypocrites, and charging them with transgressing the commandment of God. “Do you know,” they said, “that the Pharisees were offended?” To this question we are indebted for our Lord’s explanatory declaration—a declaration which perhaps has never received the notice it deserves.
The plain meaning of our Lord’s words is, that false doctrine like that of the Pharisees, was a plant to which no mercy should be shown. It was a “plant which His heavenly Father had not planted,” and a plant which it was a duty to root up, whatever offence it might cause. It was no charity to spare it, because it was injurious to the souls of men. It mattered nothing that those who planted it were high in office, or learned. If it contradicted the Word of God, it ought to be opposed, refuted, and rejected. His disciples must therefore understand that it was right to resist all teaching that was unscriptural, and to “let alone,” and forsake all instructors who persisted in it. Sooner or later they would find that all false doctrine will be completely overthrown, and put to shame, and nothing shall stand but that which is built on the word of God.
Do we not see here the duty of boldness in resisting false teaching? Beyond doubt we do. No fear of giving offence, no dread of ecclesiastical censure, should make us hold our peace, when God’s truth is in peril. If we are true followers of our Lord, we ought to be outspoken, unflinching witnesses against error.
Do we not see again the duty of forsaking false teachers, if they will not give up their delusions? Beyond doubt we do. No false delicacy, no mock humility should make us shrink from leaving the ministrations of any minister who contradicts God’s Word. It is at our peril if we submit to unscriptural teaching. Our blood will be on our own heads.
Do we not see, in the last place, the duty of patience, when we see false teaching abound? Beyond doubt we do. We may take comfort in the thought that it will not stand long. God Himself will defend the cause of His own truth. Sooner or later every heresy “shall be rooted up.” We are not to fight with carnal weapons, but wait, and preach, and protest, and pray.
Respecting the heart of man, our Lord declares in these verses, that it is the true source of all sin and defilement. The Pharisees taught that holiness depended on foods and drinks, on bodily washings and purification. They held that all who observed their traditions on these matters were pure and clean in God’s sight, and that all who neglected them were impure and unclean. Our Lord overthrew this miserable doctrine, by showing His disciples that the real fountain of all defilement was not outside a man, but within. “Out of the heart,” He says, “proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile the man.” He that would serve God aright needs something far more important than bodily washings. He must seek to have “a clean heart.”
What a dreadful picture we have here of human nature that is drawn by one who knew what was in man. What a fearful description is this of the contents of our own bosoms! What a melancholy list of seeds of evil our Lord has exposed, lying deep down within every one of us, and ready at any time to start into active life! What can the proud and self-righteous say, when they read such a passage as this? This is no sketch of the heart of a robber, or murderer. It is the true and faithful account of the hearts of all mankind. May God grant that we may ponder it well and learn wisdom!
Let it be a settled resolution with us, that in all our religion the state of our hearts shall be the main thing. Let it not content us to go to church, and observe the forms of religion. Let us look far deeper than this, and desire to have a “heart right in the sight of God” (Acts 8:21). The right heart is a heart sprinkled with the blood of Christ, and renewed by the Holy Spirit, and purified by faith. Never let us rest until we find within the witness of the Spirit, that God has created in us a clean heart, and made all things new (Ps. 51:10; 2 Cor. 5:17).
Finally, let it be a settled resolution with us to “keep thy heart with all diligence,” all the days of our lives (Prov. 4:23). Even after renewal they are weak. Even after putting on the new man they are deceitful. Let us never forget that our chief danger is from within.
Questions:
What are the themes of chapters 1 through 15?
What “religious exercise” were the Pharisees employing that Jesus found to be unimportant, useless, and even counter-productive?
What are we to do when we run into false teaching?
When children say something unkind and hurt their brothers and sisters, where do those sins come from?
What do we need God to do to our hearts?
Family Discussion Questions:
When is it appropriate to separate yourself from false teachers? When is it appropriate to leave a “bad church”? How would you know if you had a false teacher? How do you distinguish between minor doctrinal differences and serious systemic problems in the teaching?
How do you know the state of your heart? What are the indications that your heart is in serious trouble?
