Ask Your Preacher - Archives
“Followers of Tradition”
Categories: Text Today
14 After He called the crowd to Him again, He [began] saying to them, "Listen to Me, all of you, and understand:
15 there is nothing outside the person which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which come out of the person are what defile the person."
16 ["If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."]
17 And when He [later] entered a house, away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him about the parable.
18 And He said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding as well? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the person from outside cannot defile him,
19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" ([Thereby] He declared all foods clean.)
20 And He was saying, "That which comes out of the person, that [is what] defiles the person.
21 "For from within, out of the hearts of people, come the evil thoughts, [acts of] sexual immorality, thefts, murders, [acts of] adultery,
22 deeds of greed, wickedness, deceit, indecent behavior, envy, slander, pride, [and] foolishness.
23 "All these evil things come from within and defile the person." (Mark 7:14-23)
Jesus is responding to the question about following the customs and traditions of washing your hands carefully before eating. He is pointing out that it is our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, that defile us, and these only, not the food they were referencing in the question. Where a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them.
We need to ensure that we do not lean on customs and traditions set forth by mankind, instead, we need to place our Heartfelt faith in God. What we feed our Hearts is what is important. Feed your Heart the word of God.
