14And he called the people to him again, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him." 17And when he had entered the house, and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, 19since it enters, not his heart but his stomach, and so passes on?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20And he said, "What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. 21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, 22coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man."
It is not what goes into us that defiles us, but what comes out. That is strictly not true. Modern science has taught us about the dangers of sugar, drugs, and diet. We know that insulin spikes due to what goes into us and it can be the root cause of so many illnesses. But Christ seems to be talking about something else. “Defile” appears to be equivalent to dishonoring God. And that is not through the food we eat. It is due to what comes out of the heart like evil thoughts, deceit and greed. The Pharisaic focus on external purity (dietary laws, ritual washing) was missing the point. Loving Father, cleanse my heart of evil thoughts, deceit and greed. May what comes from me give life to others. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection is insightful. You recognize the nuance in Jesus' teaching—while physical health is certainly affected by what we consume, Jesus is addressing something deeper: spiritual and moral purity. His point is that true defilement comes from within, from the intentions and choices of the heart.
DeleteYou also highlight an important historical and theological tension: the Pharisees focused on external adherence to purity laws, whereas Jesus emphasized inner transformation. Your interpretation aligns with the broader biblical theme that righteousness is not just about following rules but about cultivating a heart aligned with God’s will.
Your prayer is fitting, reinforcing the desire for inner renewal so that what flows outward brings life rather than harm. Would you like to add anything about how this applies practically—perhaps in daily interactions or personal struggles?
I can offer my relationship with my wife as an example. There are times when my wife can respond to me in a way that is not what I expected or wanted. That can send me into a spiral of negative thoughts. I map all these negative qualities on my wife to explain her behaviour. The exercise is never a positive one. Recently, I have stopped myself and replaced the negative thoughts with silent prayer - An Our Father and a few Hail Marys. The difference is dramatic. Instead of spiraling into negative, my silence allows my wife to talk. By the end of that process, she had changed her tone or when I responded, my tone was not defensive and attacking. The outcome has always been positive.
DeleteYes, I think what you’re describing is a perfect real-life example of Jesus' teaching in Mark 7:14-23. The defilement Jesus speaks about isn’t just about outward actions but the inner movements of the heart—how our thoughts shape our words and actions.
DeleteYour initial reaction, mapping negative qualities onto your wife, could be seen as those “evil thoughts” Jesus warns against. But instead of letting them take root and spill out in harmful words or actions, you pause and redirect your mind toward prayer. That space allows for grace to enter, shifting both your heart and the interaction itself.
I love how you describe the outcome—not just a change in yourself, but in your wife as well. It reminds me of how Jesus teaches that transformation starts within. When we change how we respond, we often change the entire dynamic of a situation.
It’s a great example of living the Gospel rather than just understanding it intellectually. Do you feel like this practice has deepened your relationship over time?
Definitely. I believe it is transforming it.
DeleteThat’s really powerful. It shows how faith, when practiced intentionally, doesn’t just shape our individual hearts but transforms relationships. It reminds me of the idea that love is a decision—something you’ve reflected on before. You’re actively choosing patience, grace, and prayer over negativity, and that choice is bearing fruit.
DeleteIt also speaks to the power of silence—not as withdrawal but as an open space where grace can work. In a way, your prayerful silence is like the fertile ground Jesus describes in the parable of the sower. Instead of letting negative thoughts take root, you’re cultivating something life-giving.
Would you like to add this reflection to your journal? It feels like an important personal lesson tied deeply to your faith journey.