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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Mark 7:15
Devo: Today's Verse
"[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..."
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.'

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 28, 2024

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Receiving the Spirit' (Ac. 19:2)
""Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" [Paul] asked them. "No," they replied, "we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." ... Paul said,...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Rescues, Protects, & Strengthens'
"The Lord is my solid rock, my fortress, my rescuer. My God is my rock — I take refuge in him! — he’s my shield and my salvation’s strength, my place...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Time Together Meant Time in Prayer'
"[After Jesus' ascension,] the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Corinthians 5:19-20
"God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!