The church today and THE Church...the difference is there to be seen.

The church today and THE Church...the difference is there to be seen. 

"Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,  “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves also break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘The one who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” he is not to honor his father or mother.’ And by this you have invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you, by saying:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far away from Me.

And in vain do they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand! It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles the person.”

Then the disciples came and *said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. Leave them alone; they are blind guides of blind people. And if a person who is blind guides another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” Jesus said, “Are you also still lacking in understanding? Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements. These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.”  Matthew 5:1-20

There's much to be seen in Scripture...this time, at least for me, it was a wow moment.   This passage applies to many many so-called churches today.  Note the intentional use of the lower case use of church.  The Church is not that way. 

Later on in Scripture we are warned that wolves will infect and infiltrate the Church.  The result is a mere shadow of what God intended.  People really will honor with their lips but their hearts will be far from God.  

It is with profound sadness that I know people who have been lead astray in these so-called churches.  On the day they worship they are one kind of person. Their mouth, the rest of the week, says they certainly are a different kind of person.  

As Jesus Himself just said, out of the mouth comes whatever is in the heart. 

This is far more than being about Pharisees or Sadducees.  This is about everyone. 

Look at what is revealed. 

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements.

In politics this is what is coming out of the mouth of supposed leaders...even more saddening is the media is both oblivious to it and endorses it at the same time. 

In the Church should be no such behavior. 

In your life should be no such behavior.  

If you consistently use foul, derogatory words and phrases you see what is in your heart. Blaming others for what you say is a lame excuse.  In the day of Christ Jesus you will stand alone to explain yourself. No lawyers, no help from others. Just you before the Lord Jesus Christ...the Judge. 

Scripture says we will give an account of every idle word we have said.  

Now you see the point behind the passage that says we ought to take every thought captive.  

This was a wow passage to read this morning.  So many churches out there have recrafted and rebranded what the Church is supposed to be in order to entice people to come in and join verses the real reason to be in Church. 

Take a good hard look at the words you use.  They honestly will speak volumes as to the state of your heart.

Look at what you are interested in. 

It will speak volumes as to where your allegiances lay.  Whether it's for Jesus in your life or for you in your life.