Today we’re focusing on us. Can we focus on you and me? Because if we’re honest, we all have our faults. We can be narcissistic. We can be prideful. But love bears with one another. If we’re going to follow Jesus, we have to push toward Him and allow Him to cleanse us from the inside out. That’s what we’re going for here.
In Mark chapter seven, Jesus gathers the people and says something radical: “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him… but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile him.” Nothing you eat. Nothing external. It’s what’s coming out of you. That’s what defiles you.
Then He gives us the list. From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man. That’s the real contamination. The heart.
Let’s start with the first one: evil thoughts. How many evil thoughts have you had today? Maybe you didn’t commit adultery. Maybe you didn’t steal. But did you covet? Did you think something hateful about someone you don’t like? That’s why it’s hard for anyone to say, “I don’t sin.” Because Jesus goes straight to the heart.
Even foolishness made the list. That stood out to me. I’m a singer and songwriter, and I’ve deliberately stopped listening to songs about being a fool in love. Why would I want foolishness in my spirit? If Jesus says foolishness defiles a person, I don’t want that planted in my heart. Even in love, I don’t want to be a fool.
Lord Jesus, help us not get on this list daily. And if we do, help us to repent. Cleanse us from the inside out. That’s the transformation we’re seeking.
God bless, Shirah Chante,your relationship coach
PS: This is just a portion of what we covered. Go listen to the full episode of Gospel Portions Torah Tidbits Podcast, The Commandment of God: What Defiles a Manepisode, as we walk through Mark chapters 7–8 in depth. You don’t want to miss the full teaching.