Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”
Mark 7:14-15 (NIV)
Defiled
Back in 2014, two weeks after Michael Zehaf-Bibeau killed Corporal Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial and then stormed Parliament Hill, French President Francois Hollande stated in a speech in the House of Commons that the very “seat of democracy” from which he was speaking was “defiled” by a “terrorist-inspired attack.” He saluted the “courage” of Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, whom he said is now known around the world for his role in shooting the gunman who breached the security of Parliament on October 22.
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Purity is difficult to find in our world. We work hard at purifying water, keeping our food safe and avoiding disease. So much of our world is defiled by impurities of all kinds. This is not only true in the physical realm. It is just as common in every human heart. Jesus speaks to this in Mark 7:14-15: “Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.’” Jesus’ point is that what comes out of our lives, in the way we speak or act, points to what is inside. When the pressure is on, when you are upset or angry, what comes out? If you are a follower of Jesus, you should take note of this. Because if what comes out doesn’t look like Jesus, you need to invite Him to do a deeper work of grace in your heart and life. We are not defiled by what we put into our mouths. Sin is already in us. Invite Jesus Christ to continue to purify your heart.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley