Today's Verse: Mark 7:15

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

[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
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

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.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

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 Wednesday, July 15, 2020

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'A Slap in the Face of God' (Jn. 18:22-23)
"[After Jesus confronted the high priest who was questioning him,] one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. "Is that the..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Luke 6:12
"If ever one of woman born might have lived without prayer, it was our spotless, perfect a Lord, and yet none was ever so much in supplication as he!....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Protectively Caring for His Faithful Friends'
"For the very structures of earth are GOD'S; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step...."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by C. T. Studd:
"I belong to the "Great-God Party", and will have nothing to do with the "Little-God Party." Christ does not want nibblers of the possible, but grabbers of the....."

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.

More Today's Verse