Today's Verse: Mark 7:15

Thursday, July 15, 2004

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[Jesus challenged the outward show of religiosity among religious people who were ignoring their inner need to be humble and pure before God. He said:] "Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.'"
— Mark 7:15
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We get so hung up on externals, appearances, and facades. Jesus cuts to the core of God's concern - our spiritual heart condition. He wants us to focus not only on what we put in our bodies but also on what we allow to grow in our hearts and simmer in our heads. Most of us need our inner world to receive our most earnest attention and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. So, let's be honest and ask if we are spending as much time focusing on our inner world as we are focusing on our external appearance and how we appear to others! In a world constantly preening for acceptance on social media, this may be one of the most critical spiritual challenges of our times.

My Prayer...

O God, who searches minds and hearts, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you. I offer you my inner world to cleanse and redecorate by the sanctifying work of your Holy Spirit. Please guard my heart from evil ambitions and my mind from impure thoughts. I want my inner life and outer deeds to glorify you and honor Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

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2 Related Resources by Heartlight

In or Out
Illustration of Mark 7:15
Inspirational illustration of Mark 7:15 -- Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'
What Truly Defiles
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. "All of you listen," he said, "and try to understand. It's not what goes into your body that defiles...."

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 7:15 — [Jesus challenged the outward show of religiosity among religious people who were ignoring their inner need to be humble and pure before God. He said:] "Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.'"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, July 15, 2004

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Jesus at Work Through His People' (Acts 1:1-2)
"In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'The Message That Was There All Along' (Jn. 1:1)
"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Watches Over the Godly' (Ps. 1:6)
"For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Every Spiritual Blessing' (Ep. 1:3)
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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