Tag: battleground of the heart

What Defiles! The Heart!

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

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?

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!

Loving God, Loving others.

1 John 2 New International Version (NIV)

Genuine love of God does not hate anyone no matter what!
Genuine love of God does not hate anyone no matter what!

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light,and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

Friends, If our deeds are pure, why are we afraid of the Light? Why are you afraid of the light – the light of the word of God shining and guiding our paths. Evil deeds hide in darkness! In the inward place of the heart, battleground of the mind, oozing out from words and actions are the fruit of either hatred or love. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Meditating on things that are pure, kind, peaceful, loving, of good report and praying in the Holy Ghost will ensure all filth and evil is kept at bay.  The Lord is present to help us by His Holy Spirit to keep the field of our hearts pure and holy unto Him. Call on Jesus today to help you as I am. If you do not have the assurance of salvation, by the inward witness of the heart, reach out today. Jesus is right there within your reach.

Father, we humbly come before your throne through the blood of Jesus. Cleanse us today from all unrighteousness and create in us a new heart, that trust you and embraces you – love your creation. We ask Lord, that your light will shine on us and lead us on the right path of glory in Christ Jesus name we pray. Amen