Avoiding defilement


Mk 7:15-23

Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen! ” When He went into the house away from the crowd, the disciples asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, “Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don’t you realize that nothing going into a man from the outside can defile him? For it doesn’t go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated.” (As a result, He made all foods clean. ) Then He said, “What comes out of a person — that defiles him. For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, promiscuity, stinginess, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”

Jesus gives the statement "Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him" and leaves it at that expecting his disciples to understand. His disciples don't get it and so He explains which quite helpful fro us today. Physical things entering the body cannot make anyone unclean but only that which comes from the heart. Therefore He is demonstrating that thoughts and ideas that are placed into the heart do come from outside and are what cause evil thoughts to come out of the mouth.

I must therefore guard myself from evil thoughts by avoiding situations that could feed these thoughts. I must continue to ask Him to cleanse me of impure thoughts that can lead to my defilement. I must also avoid legalistic interpretations of this such as "I can have contact with anything defiling that I want as long as I don't let it come out of my heart." Obviously I won't be able to avoid all of it completely but I should never intentionally subject myself to it. Therefore I must take caution with what I watch on TV or in the theater. I must be careful of the music and radio I listen to. I must take care not to have friends that are always speaking that which defiles (c.f. Eph 4:20-32, 5:1-7).

GOD of purity and holiness there is none like You. Your purity and holiness must never be defiled. Please forgive me when I do anything to bring about impurity into my life as I am a Temple of Your Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). Please teach me not to intentionally subject myself to things that will profane Your holiness. Please teach me to discern what is best for putting into my heart. Please give me wisdom to know how to avoid things that are impure so that I don't defile this Temple of Your Holy Spirit. I want to live a pure life but I can't do that without You and Your help. I surrender myself to You in the name of Jesus amen.


Created 5 months ago