“20And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” — Mark 7:20-23 (ESV)
It is what comes out of a person that is where the problem lies. Anything that goes in can be dealt with and squashed before it can do any harm. Only those things that come out of someone are known and will cause harm and/or demonstrate their true selves at that time.
In the above verses, Jesus is explaining all that will create defilement of a person. He is clear to indicate that those are what comes from within that person, and this got me to thinking about what is within me and how it got there and what I can do to deal with it.
We watch a lot of movies and shows here and really enjoy them for the entertainment value that they present. In a number of those productions there is a character that swallows some bomb, or note, or other thing that might bring harm to another character or group. This item is taken into the character for safe keeping and is not let out. This item may damage the inside of the character in the short run, however if or when it is expelled, its condition is now of no harm to anyone else.
I take in a lot from those instances around me and I have the choice to keep it within or let it out. Keeping things within allow for the dispelling of the item and all that is harmful about it. Thoughts and ideas are some of those things that are taken in and I have the chance to end them there are act on them and demonstrate myself.
Envy is one of those items that may start as something that comes into me as a thought. When that thought comes into my mind, I then have the choice to act on that thought or bury inside me to protect me and those around me. Protecting me is part of it, as when I let the envy out for the world to see, they are now conflicted in what I say that I represent, and what they see I represent. I have heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words” and that is what is going on here. The visual of envy is speaking volumes to those witnessing them.
I have to know that it is what comes from within me that makes all the difference in my character, how I act and react, as well as what others see and therefor believe about me. I have to remember not to defile myself with that which is coming from inside of me. I have to be able to take things in and know that is where they end. I have to think of my body as the protector of me and others from the things that enter. If and when those things are expelled, it is important that they are of no harm to anyone else, not even me.
What are you displaying that first entered you? Are you allowing things that defile you to exit and possibly harm others? What if you were to take those things in with the intention of keeping them there to protect others and more importantly yourself?
Trevor's Thoughts 