The Defiled Man (12)

What is it that defiles a man?  Asked another way, what makes a man unclean?  We have seen recently that the parable of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet means that he washes us by his word.  “All of you are clean,” he said, “but one,” referring to Judas who betrayed him.  Judas remained unclean because he refused to be truly washed by Jesus.  Yes, he submitted to a foot-washing.  But he would not allow Jesus’ words to penetrate his heart and enter his inmost being.

Yes, you can eat Jesus’ bread and still “lift your heel” against him.  You can learn doctrine (eat bread) read the Bible (eat spiritual food), listen to sermons (continue eating bread, food), and even talk the spiritual talk.  But, can you walk the walk?  Do you betray Jesus, as did Judas, by continually walking in your sins?

Look into your heart.  Are you clean inside?  Or defiled?  What dwells within you?  Goodness, righteousness, and truth?  (Ephesians 5:9)  Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance? (Galatians 5:22-23)  Or, do you instead find bitterness, hate, envy, pride, lust, covetousness, greed, unforgiveness, or murderous thoughts?

Murderous thoughts?  How could a Christian possibly have murderous thoughts?  Because he cannot forgive.  Someone wronged him, he believes, and he simply cannot forgive that person.  Someone hurt him, stole from him, injured him, and he cannot forgive that one.   I do not say it is always easy to forgive, but have you not learned that “Vengeance is mine,” says the LORD.  “I will repay!”  Do you not yet know that there comes a day when all who have wronged you will approach you and say, “I’m sorry!”  and they will genuinely mean it.  Will they have to beg your forgiveness then or will you say, “That’s okay.  I forgave you a long time ago!”

And he said, That which came out of the man, that defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:20-23 KJ2000)

Examine yourself.  Do you pass the test?  Or must you yet have your part in the Lake of Fire to purge the evil within?  “Today,” if you hear God’s voice, repent, forgive, and get on with God.  Quit justifying your sins.  Confess your defiling sins to Jesus, for he took those sins to the cross, and he does not expect you to bear them.  Be free.  Know that He is God.  Walk his path, not your own.

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