What Jesus Did! 'What Truly Defiles' — Mark 7:14-15

Sunday, April 28, 2024

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 you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart."
— Mark 7:14-15 NLT

Key Thought

Our words and our actions say it all, don't they?! So let's take seriously our use of language — both what we say and how we say it. Let's also look at our lives and see what our actions say about our loyalty to God. We need to realize that our intentions matter for good only if we follow through on them! Repentance that is only a change of heart, but not also a change of behavior, is not really repentance at all.

Today's Prayer

Bless me, Lord God Almighty, that by the power of your Spirit I can change my behavior and my values to reflect your holiness, grace, mercy, and righteousness more perfectly. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Galatians 5:19-26
  • 1 John 3:7-8
  • Psalm 19:12-14

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 7:14-15 NLT — "All of you listen," —— "and try to understand. It's not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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