"And when He was entered into the house from the people. His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. And He saith unto them. Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it entereth not into his heart, . . . . And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye (greed), blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
Vulgarity in thought, word and deed.
It is very apparent, then, that vulgar stories of the kind that boys often tell each other on street corners, are begotten of an impure mind. The telling of vulgar, or "smutty" jokes, the reading of lascivious literature, the taking delight in obscene pictures and suggestive plays, the practising of secret abuses—all these are born of an evil mind. Surely, it must be plain to every boy and girl that those who indulge such thoughts and practices of evil are not pure in heart. They shall not see God.
The good tree and the corrupt.
Teaching again on the same subject, Jesus said at another time, "A good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit: for of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
Plain teaching.
Has ever any man taught more plainly? The kingdom of God is to be made up of men and women rich in moral virtues. And the chief of those virtues is purity of heart. The vulgar, the profane, the lascivious, and all those who foster evil thoughts will find no place near God. Only the pure in heart shall see Him. Remember, then, the great commandment. Remember the great beatitude. Remember that as a man thinketh in heart so is he. Therefore, think right.
THE REFERENCES
Matt. 22:34-40. Doc. and Cov. 121:45.
Matt. 5:1-13. Mark 7:14-24.