Out of the heart of men

Mark  7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,  7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

Jesus, while speaking to the crowd and His disciples, reveals a profound truth about the human condition: the source of our actions lies within our hearts.

Jesus lists various sins and attributes their origin to the heart. He teaches us that evil thoughts and deeds do not originate from external sources but from within. This perspective challenges the common tendency to blame external circumstances or influences for our moral failings. Instead, Jesus directs us to examine the state of our hearts.

Let's take a moment to consider the specific sins Jesus mentions: sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. Each of these is a manifestation of the deeper issues within us. They represent the corruption and brokenness of our hearts. We often focus on the outward actions, but Jesus calls us to recognize the root cause: our inner sinfulness.

The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of our emotions, thoughts, and will. It is the seat of our desires and intentions. If our hearts are corrupt, our actions will inevitably follow suit. Therefore, true transformation must begin from within. External changes and behaviors are important, but they must stem from a renewed heart.

The good news is that Jesus did not just point out the problem; He also provided the solution. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus offers us a new heart. Ezekiel 36:26 says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This promise is fulfilled in Christ, who enables us to overcome the evil within us.

 Practical Steps for Heart Renewal:

1. Confession and Repentance: Acknowledge the sinfulness of our hearts and confess our sins to God. Repentance is the first step towards transformation.

2. Daily Surrender: Submit our hearts to God daily, allowing Him to cleanse and renew us.

3. Meditation on Scripture: Immerse ourselves in God’s Word, allowing it to penetrate and transform our hearts.

4. Prayer: Continually seek God's help in overcoming the evil desires that arise from within us.

5. Community:  Surround ourselves with fellow believers who can support and hold us accountable in our journey of heart transformation.

In conclusion, let us remember that true change comes from within. Jesus calls us to examine our hearts and seek His transforming power. As we do so, we will find that the evil that once flowed from our hearts is replaced by the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

God bless you. 

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name. 

2. Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that our hearts are often filled with sinful desires, forgive us Lord in Jesus Christ name . 

3. Help us to continually surrender our hearts to You and allow Your Spirit to transform us from within. In Jesus Christ name. 

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.