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SIN COMES FROM INSIDE OUT
LORD’S DAY, JUNE 15
Mark 7:14-23

Psalm 53

 

“All these evil things
come from within,

and defile the man.”

 

SIN COMES FROM INSIDE OUT
 
What is it that makes a person unclean? Jesus told the people, “Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man… there is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. …whatsoever thing from without entereth into the mouth, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man …those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts… false witness… covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: These are the things which defile a man. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man… but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man” (Mark 7:14-23; Matt 15:18-20). The people thought that the Pharisees and scribes were very holy men. Jesus told them that they were mistaken. Those Pharisees and scribes might be outwardly clean, but inwardly they were full of filth.
 
The disciples told Jesus that the Pharisees and scribes were very offended by His words. Should that worry Jesus? The disciples ought to know that Jesus did not come to please man but God. He came to do the will of His Father, and to expose the errors of false teachers was certainly pleasing to God. Jesus said, “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” He commanded His disciples to keep themselves away from them. “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
 
THOUGHT: “Hypocrites are so stupid that they do not feel their sores.” (Calvin)

PRAYER: Father, cleanse me inside out.

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