What Jesus Did! 'From Within: The Heart Inside' — Mark 7:20

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

And then [Jesus] added, "It is what comes from inside that defiles you."
— Mark 7:20 NLT

Key Thought

Wow! What a powerful message in today's world where people deliberately expose themselves to so many forms of hurtful images and thoughts. Jesus stressed the importance of being pure - not just in our actions, but especially in our hearts and minds! Let's hear clearly Jesus' demand that we be righteous body, soul, and spirit!

Today's Prayer

Holy Father, my loving God, please forgive me of secret sin. Especially forgive and strengthen me so that I can throw off any influence that would pull me away from you and the holiness that you long to share with me. Help me keep both my thoughts and my actions pure. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9
  • Psalm 7:9
  • Mark 12:30

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Defiled!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"And then [Jesus] added, "It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual..."
I'm Gorgeous Inside!
Article by Phil Ware
Would it really be nice if we could really see what was on the inside of people — their hearts? Phil Ware challenges us to pursue the faithful love, righteous character, and gracious compassion of God from our hearts.
Tuning to My Interior World
Article by Phil Ware
Obeying what God commanded and avoiding the things he condemns is important. However, the way we deal with them must involve our interior world! Phil Ware reminds that to become JesuShaped, we have to pay attention to our interior worlds, the world of our hearts, and not just religious externals.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 7:20 NLT — And then [Jesus] added, "It is what comes from inside that defiles you."

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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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