I Tell You The TRUTH,

Here’s the situation - everything’s going so good. You haven’t a care in the world. Just one of those days you tend to enjoy yet forget so soon.

Then it happens. Out of the blue, something goes wrong. Someone offends you. Someone rubs you the wrong way. Then, in a split second, without any thought or predetermined plan, you strike back in anger, lashing out at this intruder.

Perhaps you don’t lash back. Perhaps it’s not in you to lash back. Praise God if it’s so.

Why do some of lash back and others not? Is it just because we’re different? Even as Christians, some of us lash back while others can calmly sort the situation out. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better illustration than the following…

If you hold a full glass of water and someone walks over to you and begins to shake your arm, guess what happens? Water gets thrown every where. Now, the question is, why does everyone get wet? Is it because of the one who shook the arm? Not exactly. While this person plays a part in the role, the problem lies with what is in the glass. If the glass is full of frustration and anger, that’s what will spill out when it’s shaken. But if the glass is full of mercy and understanding, that’s what will spill out when it’s shaken. It’s what’s already inside that comes out. And if anger is bottled up, it’s only a matter of time before it spills all over someone.

This is what is meant by…

Matthew 15:

10Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. 11What goes into a man's mouth does not make him `unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him `unclean.' "

After they still did not understand, Jesus continued…

17"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man `unclean.' 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what make a man `unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him `unclean.' "

This whole thing started because the Pharisees were upset that Jesus’ disciples did not wash their hands before they ate. Christ was trying to explain to them that physically dirty hands were not what would defile they soul. What defiles the soul of man is what comes out of his heart. Dirt does not cause sexual immorality. Dirty hands will not cause anger. These things are stored in the heart, waiting to be spewed forth from the mouth.

What’s interesting is where the scripture goes next. Immediately, we jump to a woman whose daughter is possessed. She shows Christ that she has faith in Him and He grants her request…

28Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Jesus is in the business of cleaning what is inside. He’s in the heart repair business. He’s the best at it. Faith in His ability to rid us of the things that spew out of our mouth and our heart is where we want to start. Of course, we must see the need first, just like the lady with the daughter. Do you have need of a heart tune up today? If so, put your faith where it’s best used - in Christ and His healing power. Then continue to go back everyday and let Him continue to work on the heart of the matter.

Then watch yourself next time someone shakes your glass and see what spills out. If something new and full of love spills, be sure to give credit where credit it due!

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