Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 18 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” Mark 7:14
My first thought when reading this was a question, “What about sex, alcohol and drugs?”
But then I got my answer in verse 18 ‘Are you so dull?” he asked.. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body. 20 He went on:
“What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23
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This is where most of us are caught, our thought life, not seen, secret, but very potent! This is where we plan to kill, steal, murder, manipulate, commit sexual sins and all. The sin that easily beset us occurs here, in our hearts. I have caught myself many a time and I must say, very disappointed that such thought could even come to me. The battlefield of our minds!
This is why King Solomon said in Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life.
Premeditated murder, adultery, fornication, covetousness, manipulation – sorcery, envy, jealousy and all kinds of evil stem from that little seed sown, watered, pruned and nursed to fruition – this is what defiles.
I don’t know about you but I am asking for mercy here. I have had some very bad thoughts and the Holy Spirit does check me and I will be like, “Where does that even come from?” I mean, I am holy, righteous, redeemed, speaking in tongues, why would such thought come up within me?
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This is where I demolish every arguments and every pretensions that sets itself up against the knowledge of God for my life and destiny, and I bring every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. And then I am ready to punish every act of disobedience, because my obedience is complete in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 personified.
Father, I know that there are at least one other person with me saying I don’t know why, but often than I want to acknowledge, I have entertained bad thoughts, passed lewd comments, acted in certain ways that does not befit me as an ambassador of The Gospel, I ask for mercy today Lord, forgive me and help me by your Holy Spirit to nip evil thought in the bud.
Almighty God, let evil not fester in my heart, saturate my being with your presence, Holy Spirit I ask in Jesus name.
Thank you Father for pruning and molding us to be Christlike! We are open Lord for your correction, and thank you for a receptive heart.
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
Radiant Glory Of Love 