Defiled Heart?
Saturday's Devotion (4-12-08)
"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man." Matthew 15:18-20 (KJV)
Here we are told that it's not what goes in us, but what comes out of us that defiles us: Our words, and our actions defile our soul... Because they reflect our heart. So, while eating with unwashed hands might make you sick, it definitely isn't going to harm your soul. It isn't going to defile you... What you say or do will (If you say or do evil.)
This is why it's important to guard our hearts. Watch what we watch, watch what we listen to, and beware of who we choose as friends (as our last couple of devotions have said.) Anything that defiles our heart, and doesn't spiritually edify us we MUST give up. Is it easy? Not at all, but through Christ who strengthens us we can do all things. There was something I was going to add, but to be honest I lost it... Someone talked to me and I forgot! So, I'm just going to end it here.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins as we forgive all those who've sinned against us. Help us not to defile our hearts/souls with all these evil things. In Jesus name. A-men!
God bless!