"Are you still so dull?" He asked. "Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated." (Thus all foods are clean.) He continued: "What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man." Mark 7:18-23
Subsequently, many who claim to be in Christ are quick to point the finger at others who do not live according to their interpretation of what the scriptures mean to them. The modern term to define this behavior is "legalism." Some of the charges brought against others come in the form of attacks on what version of the bible one uses, what denomination one claims, how one dresses, one's outward appearance, or how one speaks. Others include what one believes concerning pre, mid, or post tribulation rapture, how one embraces water baptism or the Lord's supper, who one decides to congregate with, what day one decides to worship, and the list goes on and on. Regrettably, these issues are what make up the fabric of today's institutionalized local church system and are practiced through their many doctrines, teachings, and traditions. This fabric is different, some greatly and others slightly, from one local church to another. These teachings are what defines the modern day "Christian," yet have little or nothing to do with what it truly means to be "In Christ."
Consequently, these issues align with what Jesus was talking about when He said, "What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man." Jesus gave us a summary list here of some of the things that truthfully defile mankind. On many occasions Jesus was careful to point out that those who judge others often do so based on external and trivial charges without considering what truly matters, what is in the other persons heart! God judges inwardly, as He can see one's true heart, but man judges outwardly because they are blind to the true heart of others. Satan is very aware of mankind's desire to judge others and he has a field day with so-called Christians who make it a point to "correct" others who they believe are out of line according to learned beliefs from local church doctrines and practices. In fact, Satan co-authored these very doctrines and practices along with mankind so he could produce this very behavior!
However, the true followers of Christ will not get caught up in this type of dull thinking. We serve Christ alone and adhere to His teachings given to us by the Holy Spirit. "As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life. I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught. And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him." 1 John 2: 24-29
Subsequently, many who claim to be in Christ are quick to point the finger at others who do not live according to their interpretation of what the scriptures mean to them. The modern term to define this behavior is "legalism." Some of the charges brought against others come in the form of attacks on what version of the bible one uses, what denomination one claims, how one dresses, one's outward appearance, or how one speaks. Others include what one believes concerning pre, mid, or post tribulation rapture, how one embraces water baptism or the Lord's supper, who one decides to congregate with, what day one decides to worship, and the list goes on and on. Regrettably, these issues are what make up the fabric of today's institutionalized local church system and are practiced through their many doctrines, teachings, and traditions. This fabric is different, some greatly and others slightly, from one local church to another. These teachings are what defines the modern day "Christian," yet have little or nothing to do with what it truly means to be "In Christ."
Consequently, these issues align with what Jesus was talking about when He said, "What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man." Jesus gave us a summary list here of some of the things that truthfully defile mankind. On many occasions Jesus was careful to point out that those who judge others often do so based on external and trivial charges without considering what truly matters, what is in the other persons heart! God judges inwardly, as He can see one's true heart, but man judges outwardly because they are blind to the true heart of others. Satan is very aware of mankind's desire to judge others and he has a field day with so-called Christians who make it a point to "correct" others who they believe are out of line according to learned beliefs from local church doctrines and practices. In fact, Satan co-authored these very doctrines and practices along with mankind so he could produce this very behavior!
However, the true followers of Christ will not get caught up in this type of dull thinking. We serve Christ alone and adhere to His teachings given to us by the Holy Spirit. "As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life. I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught. And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him." 1 John 2: 24-29
