Word of the Week

5/10/08

“You are not defiled by what you eat; you are defiled by what you say and do! …It is the thought-life that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts…All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.” Mark 7:15, 20-23 (NLT)

Jesus warns us that defilement (sin) comes from within, out of our hearts which so easily yield to temptation. Our thoughts are key. What we choose to dwell on in our thoughts determines what we say and do. Sin begins with thoughts of evil that will grow until they become words or deeds. This warning should help us put away wrong thoughts immediately while they are still small and instead focus on righteous thoughts.

We must constantly guard our heart and thought-life. If we keep a check on our thoughts especially during disappointment, discouragement, temptation, hurt, etc., we can refocus our thoughts and replace wrong thoughts with more pleasing thoughts and thought-patterns. This keeps sin at bay and refocuses our mind on God.

PRAYER: Dear God, Help me to be more like Jesus, quicker to recognize and change a defiling thought-life. Give me the willingness to not dwell on what I find upsetting--giving place to the enemy instead of looking to You and putting my complete trust in You. Thank You that You are always ready to lift me up again when I take my eyes off You.