Mark 7:14-23
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.” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:14-23 (NIV)
I don’t know about you, but I was always under the impression that our behaviors (and in this case what defiles us) are a product of those people and things around us that influence us. In fact, that was most certainly the message I heard growing up…...from my parents, at church, and at school. Our thoughts, our actions, our behaviors, our personality, what we like, what we buy; these are all things driven by outside influences. And in today’s world, there is even a new occupation. Influencer. Telling us what we should be doing and thinking. Doesn’t that seem to underscore the whole idea? One would certainly think so.
While it is easy based on all this to blame outside influences for our actions and behaviors, this passage says just the opposite. Jesus tells the crowd that who and what we are results from what is in our hearts, not from outside influences. In fact, when the Disciples don’t get the message the first time, He even has to repeat it for them, largely because it was completely opposite of conventional wisdom at that time (and still is the case today).
This thought and these words obviously created a problem for the Disciples and, quite honestly, creates a similar problem for all of us. We can no longer blame outside influences for our thoughts, actions, behaviors, and what is in our hearts. It’s all on us. And that is not easy to comprehend or to deal with.
So, what do we do?
We cannot avoid the outside influences and those who are trying to get inside our heads and hearts. They are everywhere and they are persistent. But we can control who we listen to and who we follow and what we ultimately do. We may not think of it this way, but Jesus was most certainly a major influencer in His time (and He continues to be so today). He took His message to the people and created a following which ultimately inspired the religion that we practice today. We believe that if we listen to His words and follow His example, we most certainly will be on the right path (in fact we will be on that superhighway to eternal life). And His message is clear and straightforward. Love and serve the Lord and love and walk with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sounds pretty simple, right?
The lingering question, however, is what do we do about what is in our hearts that may defile us? It certainly is not easy to think about. The good news is that God knows us and how we are struggling with this issue. If we confess our sins and the evil that is in our hearts before Him, and seek His forgiveness, He will purify our hearts. For many of us this is an extremely difficult step, but it is the one that we must take. And we don’t have to take it alone. Our brothers and sisters in Christ and our loving church are there with us. And, of course, God is with us.
So, let’s not wait any longer. Let’s take that first step together.
Thanks be to God!
Questions for Reflection:
- What influencers are present in your life?
- Who inspires you and who do you follow?
- Have you ever considered Jesus as an influencer? If so, what does that tell you?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all of your infinite grace and mercy and for blessing us in so many ways. We ask you to help purify our hearts, renew our minds and sustain our faith. Please keep us near you always and help us to experience the joy of life with you! In Jesus name, Amen.
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