Following the Leader +

Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”
Matthew 15:10-13 NLT

The Pharisees thought they could live righteously by their works - all the dos and don'ts. A religious sect that set itself up as leaders. And nobody wanted to cross them. They had connections. They could get you thrown out of the temple. They had such power over the people that Christ's own disciples asked Him, Do you realize you offended the Pharisees...? Amazing, isn't it...and not a good amazing...

We sometimes wonder how people like this get into leadership. They dress the part, they pontificate, they're educated by the world's standard, or just very enigmatic, and people listen to them and then follow them. The Godly principle of 'Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word' doesn't only work through hearing the Word of God. God's principles work and apply in all facets of life.

So, what are you listening to? WHO are you listening to? If you think it doesn't make a difference, think about this. Have you ever noticed that you pick up your friends' idioms? Do you catch yourself using expressions your friends use? What you hang around - what you feed your spirit - what you constantly hear and or listen to - these are the influences of your heart and soul.

Further down in our text for today, verses 16-20; “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you."

Scripture tells us in Proverbs 16:25, There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. God refers to us as sheep and sheep follow the voice of the one they know - the one whose voice is familiar. Who are you following? Because whoever you're following - that's your leader. Where is that person going? Is it the right way or a way that seems like it is? Watch out for the ditch...if you can see it...

Prayer:

Father,
            Open our eyes and hearts to Your Truth. Deliver us from evil for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen