Through the Bible: MarkSample

Take Refuge in Him

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. Mark 7:15 (ESV)

It is a Jewish belief that evil can enter a person by eating unclean food or vessels touched by Gentiles, and therefore, they have many eating rituals. They wash their hands before eating and only eat kosher food. When the Gospel of Mark was written, the Jewish laws were quite detailed, and yet in many cases, they left room for interpretation. The Pharisees used the laws to justify meeting their own desires and purposes. Jesus did not condemn the traditions; He only condemned the laws used to elevate one’s sacred status.

In this scripture, Jesus says sin comes from inside our own hearts, not from the outside. We often blame something or someone else for our own actions or motives. When we sin, we should look within. Is there a desire in our own hearts that is ungodly? We often have plenty of excuses to justify our actions or motives, but Jesus asks us to look for the real source. We should stop blaming circumstances and people, and instead, we should look to our own hearts.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us stop placing blame on others and deal with the sin in our own hearts. Help us identify our own shortcomings and rectify them. We pray all these in Your mighty name, Amen!