Good day to you, dear friends! Welcome back to “A Word from the Vine.” I’m Pastor Loren Christensen, and I’m so happy to have you join me today. In our previous episodes, we explored the true heart of worship and the distinction between human traditions and God’s commandments. Today, we’re going to delve into Jesus’ teaching on what truly defiles us. Let’s open our hearts and minds to understand the importance of inner purity.
Let’s turn to Mark 7:14-15, where Jesus addresses the crowd with a profound teaching:
“And he called the people to him again and said to them, ‘Hear me, all of you, and understand: 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 7:14-15).
Jesus makes it clear that it is not what we consume or come into contact with that defiles us, but rather what comes out from our hearts. This teaching challenges the traditional views of ritual purity held by the Pharisees and emphasizes the importance of inner purity.
Our words and actions are a reflection of the state of our hearts. If our hearts are filled with anger, bitterness, pride, or deceit, these negative qualities will manifest in our behavior and defile us. Conversely, if our hearts are filled with love, compassion, humility, and truth, these positive qualities will shine through in our interactions with others.
Now, let’s take a moment to examine our own hearts. Are there areas where we are harboring negative thoughts or attitudes that might be defiling us from within? It’s essential to regularly reflect on the state of our hearts and seek God’s help in transforming us from the inside out.
Here are a few practical steps for inner transformation:
Self-Examination: Regularly take time to examine your heart and identify any negative thoughts or attitudes. Use Psalm 139:23-24 as a prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Repentance: When you identify areas that need change, confess them to God and ask for His forgiveness and help in transforming your heart.
Spiritual Disciplines: Engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and community fellowship to nurture a pure heart. These practices help us stay connected to God and aligned with His will.
Let’s close with a prayer, asking God to purify our hearts and help us live out His love and grace.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging that we often struggle with negative thoughts and attitudes that defile us from within. Forgive us for the times we have allowed these things to take root in our hearts. Lord, we ask that You search our hearts and reveal any areas that need Your cleansing touch. Purify us from within and help us to reflect Your love and grace in all that we do. Teach us to prioritize inner purity and to live out our faith authentically. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to be a light in this world, drawing others to Your truth and love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Thank you for joining me today on “A Word from the Vine.” May God bless you and guide you as you seek to cultivate inner purity. Until next time, stay rooted in His love and grace.
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