Jesus on the Power of Words: What Really Defiles Us

In Matthew 15:11, Jesus directly challenges the Pharisees and the religious norms of His time. He says, “It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” At first glance, this statement might seem surprising, especially considering how much emphasis was placed on ritual purity and dietary laws in the Old Testament. The Pharisees had a strict focus on external actions and behaviors, believing that following the rules, like what foods were clean or unclean, was the key to righteousness. But Jesus flips this understanding on its head.

He tells them that external things—what goes into the mouth—don’t determine a person’s righteousness. Instead, it is the words that come out of a person’s mouth that reveal what is truly in their heart. In other words, a person’s speech is a direct reflection of their inner condition. Words have the power to defile because they express what’s inside: anger, bitterness, pride, jealousy, and a whole host of other sinful attitudes that stem from the heart.
Jesus makes it clear: the heart is the key.

Jesus teaches that sin doesn’t begin with outward actions—it begins with what we harbor in our hearts. As Luke 6:45 says, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.” This highlights the importance of guarding our hearts. It’s from the heart that evil thoughts, wicked desires, and harmful speech flow. If we allow bitterness, unforgiveness, and selfishness to take root in our hearts, those things will inevitably spill out in the form of our words and actions.

This is a call for believers to focus on internal purity. God is far more concerned with the state of our hearts than with outward rituals. While following God’s commands is important, true righteousness comes from a changed heart, one that is continually shaped and refined by the Holy Spirit. As we surrender our hearts to God, He purifies our thoughts, our desires, and ultimately, our speech.

Words are incredibly powerful. As Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Our words can either build up or tear down, encourage or discourage, speak life or speak death. Jesus knew the destructive potential of words, which is why He warned that our speech could defile us. What we say reflects what we believe, and if our hearts are filled with evil, our words will reveal it.

In Matthew 12:34, Jesus says, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” This truth should make us pause and reflect on what comes out of our mouths. Are our words seasoned with grace, or do they reflect the anger, frustration, or envy we might be harboring inside? Are we quick to speak words that lift others up, or do we tear them down with criticism, gossip, or lies?

This teaching challenges us to look inward and evaluate our hearts. Do we need to confess and repent of areas where our hearts are not aligned with God’s will? Are there areas where our speech does not reflect the love and grace of God? The good news is that, through Christ, we are given the power to be transformed. He can take a heart that is filled with anger, bitterness, or fear and replace it with His peace, joy, and love. But this requires a daily surrender to Him and a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out.

As we grow in our relationship with God, He works to purify our hearts, which in turn purifies our words. And when we speak, we speak life. Our words can become instruments of encouragement, peace, and healing for those around us.

Let’s ask God to cleanse our hearts daily, so that our words reflect His truth and love to a hurting world.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.

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I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. (1 Timothy 1:12)