Defilement Comes From Within

Many people concentrate on what they put into their bodies, but they neglect to realize that what comes out of their hearts is the real problem. We need to listen to what Jesus said about this and apply it in our lives. (Mark 7:20-23) It might surprise you to hear what He said.

People do not have to learn evil. We do not have to be taught to sin. It comes from our heart. We are born with a sinful nature, and we will sin when we are given a choice. Then, we are defiled by that sin, and we are separated from God. This is the plight of all people.

Religions are rules about what to do, what to eat, and what not to do. They have no effect on the heart, so they are useless. It is only the power of redemption that comes from Jesus' death and resurrection that can bring cleansing to a defiled heart. He paid for our sins and died in our place, when we deserved to die for our sins. Since He is God and became a man, He is the only one who could do that, and He is the only one who can cleanse us.

Therefore, we have to go to Jesus in repentance and faith to have the defilement removed, and to receive a clean, pure heart. Then, the things that proceed from our hearts will be different, because we have a new heart that listens to God, and we have His Spirit to empower us to do the right things. I pray that all of us will know Him and be cleansed, so the evil will not be in our hearts any more.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Mark 8-11.