For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Matthew 15:19
“For from the heart, they come: evil meanderings, murders, adulteries, harlotries, thefts, false-witnessings, blasphemies” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus told the disciples that it is what proceeds out of the mouth that defiles a man. Having said that, He now explains what that means, saying, “For from the heart, they come.”
Rather than something entering externally and passing through, this is something that begins internally, in the heart. Therefore, it reveals the nature and characteristics of the one from whom those things issue. In the case of defilement, Jesus begins His list of seven defiling items with “evil meanderings.”
It is two words in Greek, dialogismoi ponēroi. The first word is new, dialogismos, a discussion. Internally, it signifies a consideration (by implication, purpose). Thus, it would signify a meandering. The second word is an adjective signifying evil.
Taken together, this refers to the general evil thoughts that arise in a person’s head. The thought itself is wicked. To act on such meanderings only compounds the guilt of the person. Next, He says, “murders.”
It is another new word, phonos. It is from pheno, to slay. In this case, it is intentional, unjustified homicide. Jesus continues with “adulteries.”
Another new word is given, moicheia, the act of adultery. It will only be seen again in Mark 7:21 and John 8:3. Throughout the Bible, the act of adultery is condemned as wrongdoing, but the act begins inside the person. Jesus will later note that the thought alone brings guilt, even without committing the act. Continuing on, Jesus says, “harlotries.”
It is a word already seen, porneia. It signifies various harlotries, such as adultery, incest, and fornication in general. Next are “thefts.”
It is yet another new word, klopé, meaning stealing or theft. It is derived from the verb kleptó, to steal. One can think of a kleptomaniac. But it includes any stealing, not just the compulsive type. A person taking something that does not belong to him is a thief. The act is known as theft. Jesus continues with, “false-witnessings.”
It is another new word, pseudomarturia. One can easily see the breakdown. The first part is pseudo, being derived from pseudés, that which is false or untrue. It defines what a liar speaks. The second half of the word is from martus, a witness. Thus, it speaks of a false witness.
The word martus has come to signify a martyr because one’s witness will often lead to his martyrdom. This word, pseudomarturia, only refers to a false witness. Jesus finishes the list with “blasphemies.”
It is a word already used in Chapter 12. It refers to vilification, especially against God. As such, it is defined as blasphemy, evil speaking, and railing in general.
Life application: Jesus says these things stem from the heart and render a person unclean. The fact is that most of us have had many of these thoughts in our hearts many times. They exist as a part of fallen humanity. It isn’t that we would necessarily act on these thoughts, but we may even have done or still do them.
As people, we are responsible for quelling the inner urges that stem from within us, keeping them from overtaking us. When we fail, does the Lord understand? The answer is, Yes. He knows our weaknesses and frailties.
David was overtaken by adultery. That started in his heart, and he acted out his desire. This led to his next wicked act, murder. Again, that started in his heart. He acted against one of his own soldiers. The law called for death in such instances. However, the record of the account says –
“So David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.’” 2 Samuel 12:13, 14
David’s sin was taken away. He acknowledged his sin, the Lord looked on his heart and knew that he was repentant, and forgiveness was provided. David still had to live with the consequences of what he did, but he remained in the Lord’s favor. If the Lord did this for David, even before sending Jesus to atone for our sins, we can know that God will forgive us when we come to Him, acknowledging our wrongdoing.
No person is outside of God’s potential forgiveness, and no person’s sin is too great to be forgiven. Trust that this is so, come to Jesus, and receive forgiveness and eternal life because of what He has done for His people.
Lord G
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