Mateus 15
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 15
Spurgeon - If a man fails to understand more deep and mysterious truths, yet let him understand this, for an error here is an error upon a vital point, and may lead to most serious damage, if not to eternal ruin. We are all of us called upon therefore to hear and to understand this day what the Savior says in the words of the text. Let me read them again, that they may sink into your minds.
Mateus 15
Spurgeon points out that "There was no need for the disciples to combat the Pharisees, they would be uprooted in the natural order of things by the inevitable consequences of their own course.” In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he wrote "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth." We see the same thought in Isaiah, "“Then all your people will be righteous; They will possess the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified." (Isaiah 60:21) And again in Isaiah 61:3 we read "To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." What the Bible Teaches - Otherwise plants and trees, not being the planting of the Lord shall be rooted up; John the Baptist had used the metaphor of trees being hewn down and cast into the fire (Matt 3:10). The very last public pronouncement the Lord made before He was crucified was of a similar nature, "if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" (Luke 23:31). But in Matt 15, the Lord was more particularly referring to the Pharisees; the plant's fruit was the pharisaical doctrines so contrary to the Lord's teaching. THOUGHT - “Here, then, we find the test of all human teaching however well-intentioned. If it be not based upon and rooted in the Word of God, or if it depart in any degree from the true intention of that Word, it is without pity to be rooted up. By this test we need ever to try our traditions, customs, habits, rules, regulations.” (G Campbelll Morgan) As an aside, it is notable that this passage clearly implies "election" of some "plants" but remember that God's choosing some to be of the elect does not mean He rejects those not chosen. On the other side of this inscrutable coin, is the truth of man's free will and try as we might we cannot resolve the truth behind both election and free will (especially as we know that no man left to his own heart's desires would chose for God). What we should do is fall on our face in adoration and awe that He would chose ANYONE! We need to gird up our minds as God instructs Job (Job 38:3, 40:7) and accept with gratitude that the Creator would even chose to reveal any of this incredible truth to us. We surely have a far too truncated concept of Perfection, Omniscience, Omnipotence, etc. O come let us adore Him. Amen. John Bennett - EVERY PLANT, WHICH MY HEAVENLY FATHER HATH NOT PLANTED, SHALL BE ROOTED UP The first twenty verses of Matthew chapter 15 sum up the great controversy of the New Testament—between the law and the gospel. Jerusalem scribes and Pharisees had travelled sixty miles north to Galilee to oppose Christ. They accused His disciples of eating with unwashed hands, v. 2. Their dogma prescribed ritual washings, not for reasons of hygiene, but of holiness. They preached separatism, regarding much of mankind as ‘unclean’. The Lord strongly condemned their hypocrisy in observing the letter of the law, while denying its spirit, vv. 3–9. Then, He tells the multitude about true and spurious defilement, using a parable of the human body, vv. 10–11. This He interprets privately to His disciples, Mark 7:17–23. Ceremonial washing and dietary restrictions do not affect moral purity. Wicked hearts will still spawn evil thoughts, words, and deeds. Christianity promises and begets a clean heart—‘truth in the inward parts’. The disciples were concerned that this teaching would offend the Pharisees. Christ responds by telling two more short parables, showing the futility of basing religion on the tradition of the elders, rather than ‘the commandment of God’, v. 3. ‘Every plant’—this is not a wild, but a cultivated plant or tree. The word occurs only here, and in the LXX, 2 Kgs. 19:29; Ezek. 17:7; Mic. 1:6, where it refers to the vine, the most highly cultivated of all plants, and the trees planted by Abraham pledging Israel’s future possession of Palestine, Gen. 21:33. The Father, the divine Husbandman, has planted one ‘true vine’, His beloved Son. He will uproot every rival plant cultivated by human hands including, of course, that of the Pharisees. In the second parable, He likens them to ‘blind leaders of the blind’. They had been judicially blinded by God because of their wilful unbelief. In Israel, many souls were afflicted with blindness, and hazardous pits and ditches abounded. It was dangerous for the blind to walk about without help or guidance. How much more perilous if that person were leading others! The Lord warns His disciples, v. 14, ‘Let them alone’—don’t join or follow them, or you too will fall into the ditch! Needed: A Big Thaw You are the salt of the earth . . . . You are the light of the world. —Matthew 5:13-14 Today's Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20 Several years ago, a fire destroyed a building that contained tons of ice. Author Carl Franke said that although the building had contained thousands of gallons of potential extinguisher, the water was not in usable form. The building was full of frozen assets! Unfortunately, many individuals and churches have a similar problem. In spite of being blessed with tons of resources for witness and service, God’s chosen people are often God’s “frozen people.” Jesus said that we are salt and light, but He warned against losing our saltiness and hiding our light (Mt. 5:13-20). Here are two safeguards to prevent this from happening: 1. Salt as a seasoning is useless unless it’s in contact with food and mixed into it. Jesus calls us to “flavor” society in His name through close involvement with people. 2. Light is meant to be visible. Secret believers need to come out of hiding and be known as disciples. Their profession of faith must become self-evident through their good works. D. L. Moody said, “Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining. They just shine.” Lord, help us be a shining light So others then may see Your mercy and Your love displayed In what we strive to be. —Sper Our purpose on earth is not to get used to the dark, but to shine as lights. Matthew 15:14 "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." BGT Matthew 15:14 ἄφετε αὐτούς· τυφλοί εἰσιν ὁδηγοί [τυφλῶν]· τυφλὸς δὲ τυφλὸν ἐὰν ὁδηγῇ, ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται. NET Matthew 15:14 Leave them! They are blind guides. If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit." NLT Matthew 15:14 so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch." ESV Matthew 15:14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." NIV Matthew 15:14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." GNT Matthew 15:14 ἄφετε αὐτούς· τυφλοί εἰσιν ὁδηγοί [τυφλῶν]· τυφλὸς δὲ τυφλὸν ἐὰν ὁδηγῇ, ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται. KJV Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Let: Ho 4:17 1Ti 6:5 they: Mt 23:16-24 Isa 9:16 42:19 56:10 Mal 2:8 Lu 6:39 And if: Jer 5:31 6:15 8:12 Eze 14:9,10 Mic 3:6,7 2Pe 2:1,17 Rev 19:20 Rev 22:15 Matthew 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Let them alone - Broadus paraphrases it "do not trouble yourselves about them, as to what they teach, or whether they approve my teaching. The Great Teacher did not expect, and did not try, to please all his hearers. Such as were blinded by prejudice, hardened in unbelief, or willful in their opposition, could only be let alone."
Mateus 15
Spurgeon - I want to indicate THE NEST FROM WHICH THEY COME. Now that we have seen these evil beasts (IN THE LIST BELOW), we will go and look at their den....There is not even need for you to stretch out your hand to feel for this foul nest of unclean birds, you can keep your hand upon your bosom, and it will not be far off from the lair wherein these evil things are lurking, ready to leap forth whenever occasion offers. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “All these evil things come from within.” “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts.” The source from which these rivers of pollution proceed is the natural heart of man. Sin is not a splash of mud upon man’s exterior, it is a filth generated within himself. And those defile (koinoo) the man - Jesus will proceed to give a dirty laundry list of what proceeds out of a depraved heart. The external will reveal the character of our heart. Reputation is what other people think about you. Character is what God knows is true about you (your heart)! Do not be deceived! ILLUSTRATION - Rotten Within - After a violent storm one night, a large tree, which over the years had become a stately giant, was found lying across the pathway in a park. Nothing but a splintered stump was left. Closer examination showed that is was rotten at the core because thousands of tiny insects had eaten away at its heart. The weakness of that tree was not brought on by the sudden storm; it began the very moment the first insect nested within its bark. With the Holy Spirit’s help, let’s be very careful to guard our purity (Pr 4:23+). Heart (2588) (kardia) does not refer to the physical organ but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will. No outward obedience is of the slightest value unless the heart turns to God. Kardia a is always used figuratively to center of our personality, to so to speak to our "control center" (to make a play on the "air traffic control center" at the airport which carefully guards and guides what flies in and what flies out. How applicable to our "hearts" which are so prone to wander!). In short kardia refers to the the affective center of our being wherein lies the capacity of moral preference and volitional desire. The kardia generates thoughts that make the decisions which the mind works out. In other words, our logic flows out of our heart-decisions and not vice versa. Gleason Archer called the kardia, the "desire-producer that makes us tick" for it is the place where our "desire-decisions" occur, and which establish who we really are. WHO ARE YOU? HAVE YOU HAD A HEART CHECK UP RECENTLY? We are assiduous to do this medically, but woefully lax in doing it spiritually (beloved, I speak from experience!). At regeneration God reverses the spiritual atherosclerosis of our old sinful heart by giving us a total heart transplant! Daily confession and repentance are thereafter necessary to avoid "spiritual atherosclerosis" and gradual, subtle hardening (and becoming cold to the things of God) of our heart! (Read and practice daily "preventative maintenance" = 1 Jn 1:9+, Pr 28:13+). Defile (2840)(koinoo from koinos = common, defiled, unclean, unholy, profane, that which lies common or open to all) means to make common. In Scripture, koinoo means to make unclean, to profane (treat something with irreverence or contempt), to desecrate (to treat disrepectfully, irreverentially, outrageously), to render unhallowed, to pollute, to make or cause to become ritually unacceptable. The idea of koinoo is a violation of ritual holiness. 11x in NT - Matt. 15:11; Matt. 15:18; Matt. 15:20; Mk. 7:15; Mk. 7:18; Mk. 7:20; Mk. 7:23; Acts 10:15; Acts 11:9; Acts 21:28; Heb. 9:13 Oswald Chambers - The Account With Purity "Out of the heart proceed …" Matthew 15:18-20 We begin by trusting our ignorance and calling it innocence, by trusting our innocence and calling it purity; and when we hear these rugged statements of Our Lord's, we shrink and say - But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart. We resent what Jesus Christ reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme Authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust His penetration, or do I prefer to trust my innocent ignorance? If I make conscious innocence the test, I am likely to come to a place where I find with a shuddering awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I shall be appalled at the possibility of evil and wrong in me. As long as I remain under the refuge of innocence I am living in a fool's paradise. If I have never been a blackguard, the reason is a mixture of cowardice and the protection of civilized life; but when I am undressed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis. The only thing that safeguards is the Redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will hand myself over to Him, I need never experience the terrible possibilities that are in my heart. Purity is too deep down for me to get to naturally: but when the Holy Spirit comes in, He brings into the centre of my personal life the very Spirit that was manifested in the life of Jesus Christ, viz., Holy Spirit, which is unsullied purity. How Are You? Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. —Matthew 15:18 Today's Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20 When people greet each other, they usually say, “How are you?” At one time in China, the typical greeting was, “Have you eaten?” In the days of poverty, asking our friends if they had eaten was to express our concern for their well-being. Today when friends greet me, they often say, “Have you put on weight?” Whether they’re genuinely concerned for my health, or just think I should lose a few pounds, they care about me. Everything we say, not just our greetings, reflects the concerns of our heart. Jesus said, “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart” (Matthew 15:18). He was explaining to His disciples that people could not be morally contaminated by the food they ate, but by words spoken out of unclean hearts. It was not strange that Jesus’ bold statements offended the Pharisees (v.12). They were great at appearing righteous on the outside, but they had no concern for the hypocrisy in their hearts. As Christ’s disciples, however, our focus should be on keeping our hearts clean so that our words will reflect genuine righteousness. Do others know from words you speak At home, at work, at play, That Jesus lives within your heart And governs what you say? — D. De Haan To rule your tongue, let Christ reign in your heart. What Do You Think? Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. —Matthew 15:18 Today's Scripture: Psalm 94:1-11 How would you like to have your every thought for the past 6 months flashed on a screen for all your acquaintances, neighbors, and church friends to see? You would probably want to leave town! It is sobering to realize that even though we can hide our thoughts from others, God knows what we’re thinking (Ps. 94:11). We need to give careful attention to our thoughts not only because God knows them but also because our thoughts determine our character. Jesus said that our words and actions spring from our heart (Mt. 15:18-19). While visiting Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, one can see enormous pillars that have been formed by the steady dropping of water. A single drop finds its way from the surface down through the ceiling of the cavern to deposit its minute sediment on the floor of the cave. Another drop follows it, and still another, until the “icicle of stone” forms a pillar of rock. A similar process is going on in each of our hearts. Every thought that sinks into the soul makes its contribution, producing the pillars in our character. The ideas you hold in your mind help to form the facets of your personality that make up the real “you.” Thought-life, though hidden, is often revealed, Shown in our speech and behavior; It is God's will that our thoughts always be Captive to Jesus our Savior. —Hess Pure thinking builds godly character. Trying to Impress Out of the heart come evil thoughts . . . . These are what defile a person. Matthew 15:19–20 Today's Scripture & Insight: Matthew 15:1–11, 16–20 When a college class went on a cultural field trip, the instructor almost didn’t recognize one of his star pupils. In the classroom she had concealed six-inch heels beneath her pant legs. But in her walking boots she was less than five feet tall. “My heels are how I want to be,” she laughed. “But my boots are how I really am.” Our physical appearance doesn’t define who we are; it’s our heart that matters. Jesus had strong words for those masters of appearances—the super-religious “Pharisees and teachers of the law.” They asked Jesus why His disciples didn’t wash their hands before eating, as their religious traditions dictated (Matthew 15:1–2). Jesus asked, “Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (v. 3). Then He pointed out how they had invented a legal loophole to keep their wealth instead of caring for their parents (vv. 4–6), thus dishonoring them and violating the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12). Lord, we are so prone to rely on our own efforts to impress You and others. Help us to be authentic in all our relationships, and to enjoy the restored heart we can have through Your forgiveness. When our motive is to impress others, we’re not impressing God. Words That Defile He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. —Proverbs 13:3 Today's Scripture: Matthew 15:17-20 Recently I overheard an older woman speaking to a friend about the current obsession with dieting. “These days,” she mused, “I’m more concerned with what comes out of my mouth than what goes into it.” There’s a world of wisdom in those words. Jesus put it this way: “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man” (Matthew 15:18-20). What we say affects others. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,” says Proverbs 12:18. But what we may overlook is the effect our reckless words have on us. When we gossip, or when we malign others, our words begin to ruin us, for we gratify the evil that is in us and strengthen it until it overthrows us. On the contrary, when we guard our lips we strike a blow at this malevolence. “The tongue of the wise promotes health,” continues Proverbs 12:18. We protect our souls, for we weaken the very thing that lies in wait to ruin us. Guard well your lips, for none can know What evils from the tongue may flow; What guilt, what grief may be incurred By one uncautious, evil word. —Elliott A word from your mouth speaks volumes about your heart. It’s All About The Heart Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. — Matthew 15:18 Today's Scripture: Matthew 15:7-20 Every time Susan opens her mouth, it sounds like the blare of an ambulance siren. This TV commercial uses humor to indicate that a dental problem could reveal a more serious physical ailment. So she’d better see her dentist soon! The commercial made me think about what comes out of my mouth when I open it. Jesus said that our words come from our heart (Matt. 15:18). He offended the Pharisees when He said, “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man” (vv.11-12). They thought they were right with God because they followed strict rules, including ritual cleansing of their hands before eating and eating only “clean” foods. Jesus upset their pride. Jesus upsets our pride too. We may think we’re godly people because we go to church regularly or pray, but then we gossip or talk about people behind their backs. James 3:9-10 says, “With [our tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men . . . . Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. . . . These things ought not to be so.” Lord, cleanse our hearts so what we speak Will be reflective of Your grace; And help us to control our tongues So we’ll not bring on You disgrace. —Sper Every time you speak, your mind is on parade. Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. NET Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. NLT Matthew 15:19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. ESV Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. NIV Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. GNT Matthew 15:19 ἐκ γὰρ τῆς καρδίας ἐξέρχονται διαλογισμοὶ πονηροί, φόνοι, μοιχεῖαι, πορνεῖαι, κλοπαί, ψευδομαρτυρίαι, βλασφημίαι. KJV Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: out: Ge 6:5 8:21 Pr 4:23 6:14 22:15 24:9 Jer 17:9 Mk 7:21-23 Ro 3:10-19 7:18 8:7,8 Ga 5:19-21 Eph 2:1-3 Titus 3:2-6 evil: Mt 9:4 Ps 119:113 Isa 55:7 59:7 Jer 4:14 Ac 8:22 Jas 1:13-15 Matthew 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Isaiah 29:13 Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote, Isaiah 59:13 Transgressing and denying the LORD, And turning away from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving in and uttering from the heart lying words. Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead. Mark 7:21+ “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, THE HEART OF MAN'S PROBLEM IS THE PROBLEM OF HIS HEART! For out of the heart (kardia) come -Defilement is an "inside job" so to speak! The root problem of all men's sin is their wicked, depraved, spiritually uncircumcised heart! The heart is like a "root" and the sin is the "fruit" of that corrupt "root" and it is an ugly, despicable and destructive crop to behold! Jesus proceeds to list these sins (not all inclusive of course and shorter than the list in Mark's account - Mark 7:21+) to drive home the truth that all defilement originates from our defiled heart. Spoken words come out of the heart and so are a true index of character. The problem with man is his heart...hard...obstinate...rebellious...cold...sick. It's the heart we inherited from Adam (thanks Adam). But because of the finished work on the Cross and the New Covenant cut for us in the Savior's blood (Heb 13:20, 21), we can obtain the much needed "heart" transplant" by which our hearts of stone are supernaturally replaced by a heart of flesh which now desires to be obedient to God (Ro 6:17) & has the inherent power of His Spirit to carry out this heretofore impossible task (Ezek 36:26,27, Acts 1:8). So now we can "kill" (mortify) the members of our earthly body in regard to these evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, etc (see Col 3:5, Ro 8:13). How desperate Jesus' listeners should have been...parched & thirsty for relief to their weary sin laden souls, desperate to drink from the living waters His cleansing blood alone could provide. But their hearts were hard & obstinate (Mt 23:37 Lu 13:34). Spurgeon on the heart - But what is meant here, do you think, by “the heart?” Is it not intended to indicate the man himself— the man’s most real self? Sin is sin for the most part because it is of the heart and the will. If the man’s heart had nothing to do with it, I do not see how it would be sin. If a man had no will in the matter, where would his responsibility be? It is because we willingly do evil that we sin. The essence of the sin lies in the will to do it, and the full consent of the heart therein. The heart is the center of life, the core of being, the place where manhood maintains its throne, and what a terrible statement this is, that out of the very center of life there proceeds from man “evil thoughts, wickedness, blasphemy,” and the like! The heart is the spring of action, the heart suggests, resolves, designs and sets the whole train of life in motion, the heart gives the impulse and the force, and yet out of the heart thus initiating and working proceeds all this mischief of sin. By the heart is meant mainly the affections, but it often includes the understanding and the will, it is, in fact, the man’s vital self. Sin is not ab extra that comes to us and afflicts us like robbers, breaking into our house at night, but it is a tenant of the soul, dwelling within us as in its own house. This evil worm has penetrated into the kernel of our being, and there it abides. Sin has intertwisted itself with the warp and woof of our nature, and none can remove it but the Lord God Himself. As long as the heart remains unchanged, out of it will proceed that which is sinful. “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually.” If it is so, that the nest in which sin is born and nurtured is the heart itself, we always carry about with us by nature that which will surely be the cause of sin unless we look well to it, and cry daily for grace to conquer it. This evil nature of ours is an always present danger; it is a powder magazine which at any moment may explode. Oh for grace (ED: AND THE SPIRIT OF GRACE) to keep our hearts with all diligence! (Proverbs 4:23+) Spurgeon calls this list a "swarm of sins" adding "I seem to have broken open a wasp’s nest, and the stinging creatures fly out, in number numberless! Here are thirteen words, each one of them teeming with all manner of evils. Matthew, when he condenses the Savior’s utterances, mentions seven of these horrible things, one of which is omitted here, but Mark is fuller in this instance, and mentions thirteen items of abomination. I am struck with the legion of foul spirits which are here set free, as if the door of the bottomless pit had been opened. As armies of locusts, or as swarms of the flies of Egypt, so are sins. As the wilderness was full of fiery serpents and scorpions, so is this world full of iniquities. The very names of them are a pain to the ear. Let us bow our heads in sorrow as we read the muster-roll of this legion of terror, “Evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, thefts, murders, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.” Now, notice first, that this awful catalog, this horrible list of the unclean birds that find a cage within the human heart, begins with things that are lightly regarded among men—“evil thoughts.” “We shall not be hanged for our thoughts,” cries one. I wish that such idle talkers would remember that they will be damned for their thoughts, and that instead of evil thoughts being less sinful than evil acts, it may sometimes happen that in the thought the man may be worse than in the deed. He may not be able to carry out all the mischief that lurks within his designs, and yet in forming the design he may incur all the guilt. Thoughts are the eggs of words and actions, and within the thoughts lie compacted and condensed all the villainy of actual transgressions. If men did but more carefully watch their thoughts, they would not so readily fall into evil habits, but men first indulge the thought of evil, and then the imagination of evil, nor does the process stay there. Picturing it before their mind’s eye, they excite their own desires after it; these grow into a thirst and kindle into a passion. Then the deed is speedily forthcoming, it was long in the hatching, but in a moment it comes forth to curse a whole lifetime. Instead of fancying that evil thoughts are mere trifles, let us regard them as the root of bitterness, the still in which the poisonous spirit is manufactured. Our Savior here puts evil thoughts first in the catalog of evil things, and He knew well their true nature. If we would be lost we have only to indulge these, if we would be saved we must conquer these. Let us make a conscience of our thoughts, he that does not so will not long make a conscience of his words or deeds. Let us pray God to purge us in the inward parts, lest perhaps, by entertaining vain thoughts as lodgers within our hearts, they take up their residence, become masters of our lives, and drive us onward to the outward sins which shall utterly pollute and defile us in the eyes of our fellow men. Since this indictment begins with evil thoughts, who among us can plead guiltless? Since evil thoughts are the first of sins, we had better meet the charge with immediate repentance and an instant faith in the only Savior. These thoughts come into our minds in the house of God, they intrude into our prayers, they defile our psalms, and they disturb our meditations. Is there a sacred hill so high; is there a quiet valley so deep, that therein we may be quite clear from these “evil thoughts”? Who can deliver us from this plague but the Lord our God? We need to humble ourselves at the first reading of this list, and cry unto the Lord for mercy. Carefully notice the range which this catalog takes. It is a very singular one, for it begins with thoughts, and then it runs on until it lands us in utter want of thought, or foolishness. We see this eruption of internal evil almost almost immediately after sin entered the world, Moses recording "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.".(Ge 6:5) As Spurgeon said "The source from which these rivers of pollution proceed is the natural heart of man. Sin is not a splash of mud upon man’s exterior, it is a filth generated within himself....I sicken as I think how man has plagued his fellow-men by his sins. But I will not go through the list, nor need I: the devil has preached upon this text this week, and few have been able to escape the horrible exposition. A foul exhalation has entered into every house in this great city, polluting the very atmosphere, and spreading moral infection. Oh for a hurricane to sweep away the pestilent vapor! Within a narrow space a multitude of iniquities have gathered like vultures upon a mass of carrion. What a collection of sins may meet in a single story! How soon does one transgression call to its fellows, till “a little one has become a thousand and a small one a strong nation!” Alas, alas for the multitudes of sins!" Broadus - After the general phrase evil thoughts, our Lord specifies violations of the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth Commandments in order. Mark adds some other sins not mentioned by Matt. The plural forms which Matt. has throughout (even ‘false witnessings’) remind us of the numerous instances and different varieties of these several sins. The heart is the cage from whence these unclean birds fly forth. -- Spurgeon Evil (kakos) thoughts (dialogismos) - Evil thoughts precede evil deeds! Evil thoughts are like a spring that is "contaminated" at the fountainhead, for it is from the bad thinking which come bad actions which are described in this "vice list." Evil thoughts is not merely evil thoughts but evil devisings which issue in degraded acts and vices now mentioned. As discussed below these thoughts are not just random ideas that come into one's mind but reflect the fallen, fleshly, sinful mind reasoning carefully and thoroughly! So it is no surprise that the verb proceed is in the present tense, depicting our depraved mind and continually "calculating" how to carry out evil deeds! You can mark it down, that evil is not just "out there" (in the world), but is "in here" (in our heart) which contains a veritable cesspool of sin that literally "gushes out" of us, including believers unless "by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body!" (Ro 8:13+) As J.C. Ryle said “We have within us the beginning of every sin under heaven.” “Ill-thinking is put first, and unthinking is put last.” ---Matthew Henry Murders (phonos), adulteries (moicheia), fornications (porneia), thefts (klope), false witness (pseudomarturia), slanders (blasphemia) - ‘This list reads a lot like Paul's list in Galatians 5 (below) describing the "deeds of the flesh (which) are evident." "Murders’ begin not with the dagger, but with the malice of the soul (see Jesus below). Adulteries and fornications’ are first gloated over in the heart before they are enacted by the body. The heart is the cage from whence these unclean birds fly forth.” (Spurgeon) Galatians 5:19-21+ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice (PRACTICE DOES NOT MAKE PERFECT BUT WILL TAKE ONE TO HELL!) such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:21-22+ “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Spurgeon on murders - Actual murders follow frequently upon unbridled passion, but forget not that the command, “You shall not kill,” may be broken by anger, hate, malice, and the desire for revenge. Many a murderer in heart may be among us this day, being angry at his brother without a cause. He that conceives and hides malice in his soul is a murderer before God. This form of evil breeds all manner of harm to society. Jesus declared "You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28+) Notice where the adultery is committed? In the heart, which in the present passage is the source of all evil thoughts! So we are not surprised with this heinous sin takes root in one's heart it brings forth a rotten crop of sexual perversion, child pornography, incest, infidelity, and the lurid list goes on. Oh, thank God for the liberating, empowering Gospel of God and the Spirit of God (Ro 8:13+)! THOUGHT Warning to men (I am looking in the mirror as I write these words!) - We are under full scale attack being waged by Satan and the world (under his control - 1Jn 5:19+) to sully our love for Jesus (cf Rev 2:4+) and steal our love from our spouse! How? Very simple answer - internet pornography. Remember that secret sin on earth is open scandal in heaven! And remember that this sin is especially deceitful as it promises passing pleasure but hides persisting painful consequences (Ps 32:3-4+ cf Heb 3:13+, Heb 11:25+). Part of deceit is that it will take you deeper and deeper into the dark world of sexual sin (Do not be deceived!) And unless we confess to God (Ps 32:5, 1-2+, 1Jn 1:9+, Pr 28:13+) (and our accountability partner [you do have another trusted man in your life I pray] -- I personally do not recommend to your wife lest it defile her mind and disturb her trust) and repent, Proverbs 5:22+ will not just be a proverb (something that might happen) but a reality (something that will happen) "His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin." Woe! Spurgeon on thefts - Thefts in all their shapes are also injurious to the commonwealth. By this we mean not only robberies, but all taking from others unjustly, such as the oppression of the poor in their wages, the taking of undue advantage in trading, the incurring of debts without hope of being able to pay, and the like—these are varied forms of dishonesty, and are full of injury to others Murders (5408) (phonos) is a noun describing killing, murder, slaughter, in classical Greek referring to the literal killing of someone. Depriving one of life by illegal or intentional act. Those reject the knowledge of God, He gives over to a depraved mind which includes those "filled with...murder" (Ro 1:29). Jesus described Saul's heart declaring "out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders." (Mt 15:19, Mk 7:21) Phonos describes Barabbas the murderer Pilate released instead of Jesus (Lk 23:19, 25+). In the future pouring out of God's wrath in the Tribulation, even after the horrible plagues the earth dwellers "did not repent of their murders." (Rev 9:21).Murder is in direct opposition to the Sixth Commandment which is still valid. (Ex. 20:13; Deut 5:17). Adulteries (3430)(moicheia from moicheuo = commit adultery) describes an act of sexual intercourse with someone not one's own spouse. Moicheía is a subclass of porneia, which includes all sexual sins. Moicheía involves at least one person who is married. 3x - Matt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21; Jn. 8:3. Three times in the Septuagint - Jer. 13:27; Hos. 2:2; Hos. 4:2. Gilbrant adds that "In the ancient world marital fidelity was expected of the wife only. Acts of adultery between an unmarried man and a married woman or between two married individuals, however, were not tolerated. Yet, a married man’s visit to a prostitute was not regarded as adultery. Thus the ancient world endorsed a double standard for determining adultery. This is radically different from the Biblical attitude where adultery is seen as a violation of the original, divinely instituted marriage bond (Genesis 2:23f.; Exodus 20:14). (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) In sum adultery is "violating the marriage covenant by engaging in sexual behavior mentally (Mt 5:28) or physically with someone you are not married to. The 7th commandment (Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18)" (Akin) Fornications (porneia from root verb pernao = to sell, porneuo = to play the harlot; pornos = male prostitute; Eng - pornography) originally referred to any excessive behavior or lack of restraint, but eventually became associated with sexual excess and indulgence, of every kind of extramarital, unlawful, or unnatural sexual intercourse. It refers to general sexual acts outside of legal marriage. Sex was often linked to pagan religious practice, with the idolatrous worship of false gods (TDNT) Loose morals were a continuous problem in the Greco-Roman world. Thefts (2829)(klope from klepto = to steal; Eng - kleptomaniac) is straightforward and means theft or stealing. Liddell-Scott adds "I. theft, Lat. furtum, Aesch., Eur. II. a secret act, fraud, Eur., Aeschin.; klope| by stealth or fraud, Soph.; podoin klopan aresthai, i.e. to steal away, Id. III. the surprise of a military post, Xen. 4x in the Septuagint - Gen. 40:15; Prov. 9:17; Jer. 48:27; Hos. 4:2; and twice in the NT = Matt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21.
Mateus 15
Spurgeon - “As Augustine says, ‘The Word spoke not a word,’ and that was so unlike him. He who was always so ready with responses to the cry of grief had no response for her.” "His reticence drew a more energetic and faith-filled response from the Gentile woman." (Guzik)
Mateus 15
Spurgeon - “But he answered her not a word.” —Matthew 15:23 Genuine seekers who as yet have not obtained the blessing, may take comfort from the story before us. The Saviour did not at once bestow the blessing, even though the woman had great faith in him. He intended to give it, but he waited awhile. “He answered her not a word.” Were not her prayers good? Never better in the world. Was not her case needy? Sorrowfully needy. Did she not feel her need sufficiently? She felt it overwhelmingly. Was she not earnest enough? She was intensely so. Had she no faith? She had such a high degree of it that even Jesus wondered, and said, “O woman, great is thy faith.” See then, although it is true that faith brings peace, yet it does not always bring it instantaneously. There may be certain reasons calling for the trial of faith, rather than the reward of faith. Genuine faith may be in the soul like a hidden seed, but as yet it may not have budded and blossomed into joy and peace. A painful silence from the Saviour is the grievous trial of many a seeking soul, but heavier still is the affliction of a harsh cutting reply such as this, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” Many in waiting upon the Lord find immediate delight, but this is not the case with all. Some, like the jailer, are in a moment turned from darkness to light, but others are plants of slower growth. A deeper sense of sin may be given to you instead of a sense of pardon, and in such a case you will have need of patience to bear the heavy blow. Ah! poor heart, though Christ beat and bruise thee, or even slay thee, trust him; though he should give thee an angry word, believe in the love of his heart. Do not, I beseech thee, give up seeking or trusting my Master, because thou hast not yet obtained the conscious joy which thou longest for. Cast thyself on him, and perseveringly depend even where thou canst not rejoicingly hope. J C
Mateus 15
Spurgeon - “I urge you who seek the conversion of others to follow her example. Notice, she did not pray, ‘Lord, help my daughter;’ but, ‘Lord, help me.’ I commend this prayer to you because it is such a handy prayer. You can use it when you are in a hurry, you can use it when you are in a fright, you can use it when you have not time to bow your knee. You can use it in the pulpit if you are going to preach, you can use it when you are opening your shop, you can use it when you are rising in the morning. It is such a handy prayer that I hardly know any position in which you could not pray it: ‘Lord, help me.’