What Matters Most? ∙
For from the heart come evil thoughts . . .. These are what defile you. – Matthew 15:19-20
Matthew 15:2-20
“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?” Jesus responded, “You invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.” “You hypocrites! Isaiah rightly prophesied of you, saying, ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from Me. In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”
After calling the multitude to Him, He said, “Hear and understand. Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth defiles the man.”
“But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”
What Matters Most in Life
Life is filled with distractions; however, understanding what truly matters can help us live with purpose and fulfillment. The following principles, adapted from Karen Salmansohn and others, offer timeless wisdom for navigating life with integrity, kindness, and gratitude.
1. Integrity Defines You – It doesn’t matter how wealthy, talented, educated, or outwardly attractive you are. The way you treat others reveals your true character. Integrity matters most.
2. Dream Big, Act Boldly – Don’t shrink your dreams to fit your fears. Instead, expand your courage and abilities to match your aspirations.
3. Embrace Lifelong Learning – As Maya Angelou wisely said, “I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.” Growth is a continuous journey.
4. True Beauty Comes From Within – Good looks may fade, but a kind and compassionate heart remains beautiful forever.
5. Kindness is Magnetic – A person becomes far more attractive through acts of kindness, respect, honesty, and loyalty than through physical appearance.
6. Cherish the Small Moments – The best times in life are often the small, seemingly insignificant moments spent with those who touch your heart.
7. Forgiveness Frees You – Forgive everyone who has wronged you. The more you forgive, the lighter your heart will feel.
8. Character Over Personality – Personality is merely surface-level. Genuine depth of character arises from a person’s character, which forms the core of their identity.
9. Seek Peace, Not Perfection – A perfect life isn’t necessary. What matters is being at peace, surrounded by people who love you for who you are.
10. Find Joy in Every Day – Life is short. Do what makes you happy and surround yourself with people who bring you joy. Even on hard days, look for the good.
11. Trust Your Inner Voice – Your inner voice often knows the right path. Don’t let the opinions or choices of others drown it out.
12. Contentment Comes From Within – True contentment isn’t about what you have but about the thoughts you cultivate and the habits you maintain.
13. Learn From Mistakes – Every minute counts. Accept your mistakes, learn from them, and use them to create a better future.
14. Focus on Gratitude and Growth – Discipline your mind to think positively by focusing on lessons learned, the people you love, and the blessings in your life.
15. Master Your Habits – Strive to live with integrity, kindness, respect, loyalty, honesty, and love. Your daily habits shape your character and your future.
What Matters Most to the Father
As children of the King, we are called to see life from a different perspective. While the world often values outward and temporary things, the Father emphasizes eternal truths. His priorities challenge us to look past appearances and focus on what truly matters.
Eternal Values Over Temporal Ones
The Father’s values often stand in opposition to worldly priorities. Society obsesses over appearances and rationalizes behavior to find loopholes in God’s commands. However, the Lord Jesus Christ reminds us that the root of sin lies in the heart. As Matthew 15:19 states, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality.” We can only receive a clean heart through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Beware of Empty Rituals
Religious customs and traditions, while often meaningful, must never take precedence over the clear Word of God. As Stanley warns, “Just because something has been done in a certain way for a long time, that doesn’t mean it pleases God.” True worship comes from a heart aligned with His will, not from outward rituals.
The Heart Matters Most
Our physical appearance does not define us; what truly matters is the condition of our hearts. Jesus had strong words for those who prioritize appearances over genuine faith and integrity. The Father looks beyond the surface to see our true intentions and motivations.
REFLECT & PRAY
Amy Pye notes, “If our motive is to impress others, we’re not impressing God.”
Father, it is so easy to focus on outward appearances and actions to gain approval from others or even from You. Help me align my heart with Your will and live with integrity, humility, and love. Encourage me to prioritize what matters most to You.
INSIGHT
The Danger of Empty Rituals
Humans have an innate fondness for pomp, ceremony, and ritual. These acts can be meaningful and beautiful, but they become problematic when they replace a genuine connection with the living God. As Stanley highlights, the Lord desires our hearts, not just outer actions.
This issue was at the heart of a clash between the hyper-religious Pharisees and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Pharisees questioned why Jesus’ disciples did not wash their hands before eating, as was required by their religious traditions. Matthew 15:1-2 states, “Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!’”
The Weight of Tradition
The Pharisees’ objection stemmed from their strict adherence to the traditions of the elders, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of Old Testament law known as the Halakah. Over centuries, these traditions had built up and, in the eyes of the Pharisees, held as much, if not more, authority than the law itself (Moore). While initially intended to guide, these traditions became burdensome, overshadowing the true purpose of God’s commands.
Jesus responded with a sharp rebuke, exposing the Pharisees’ misplaced priorities. Matthew 15:3 states, “Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?’” His words exposed the hypocrisy of prioritizing human traditions over the divine commands of God.
The Superiority of Inner Cleansing
Religious compliance, no matter how meticulous, is no substitute for the inner cleansing and transformation only the Lord Jesus Christ provides. The Pharisees concentrated on external rituals, but Jesus stressed the importance of a pure heart and a clear conscience.
The writer of Hebrews compares the old system of ceremonial cleansing with the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice. Hebrews 9:13-14 states, “Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.”
A Call to Genuine Worship
The old system of sacrifices and rituals served a purpose, but it was ultimately not enough to cleanse the human heart. Only the blood of Christ, offered as a perfect and eternal sacrifice, can purify our consciences and free us from the burden of sin. This purification allows us to worship the living God in spirit and truth, as He desires.
The Pharisees’ emphasis on outward appearances and traditions acts as a cautionary tale. True worship isn’t about following man-made rules or rituals; it’s about opening our hearts to God. The Lord desires a relationship with His children that is genuine, humble, and deeply connected to Him.
Conclusion
Rituals and traditions can enrich our faith, but they should never overshadow a genuine relationship with the living God. The Lord Jesus Christ’s confrontation with the Pharisees reminds us that external compliance is meaningless without inner transformation. Through the perfect sacrifice of Christ, we are offered a clear conscience and the opportunity to worship God in spirit and truth. Let us focus on what truly matters: a heart fully surrendered to Him.
True fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with the Father’s eternal values. By emphasizing integrity, humility, and love, we can live in a way that honors Him and inspires others to do the same. Let us strive to cultivate hearts that reflect His character, recognizing that what matters most is not what is visible but what is within.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 