[Jesus challenged the outward show of religiosity among religious people who were ignoring their inner need to be humble and pure before God. He said:] "Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.'"
We get so hung up on externals, appearances, and facades. Jesus cuts to the core of God's concern — our spiritual heart condition. He wants us to focus not only on what we put in our bodies but also on what we allow to grow in our hearts and simmer in our heads. Most of us need our inner world to receive our most earnest attention and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. So, let's be honest and ask if we are spending as much time focusing on our inner world as we are focusing on our external appearance and how we appear to others! In a world constantly preening for acceptance on social media, this may be one of the most critical spiritual challenges of our times.
My Prayer...
O God, who searches minds and hearts, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you. I offer you my inner world to cleanse and redecorate by the sanctifying work of your Holy Spirit. Please guard my heart from evil ambitions and my mind from impure thoughts. I want my inner life and outer deeds to glorify you and honor Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
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Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, July 15, 2004
"Dear Father, May our faith serve to call them to wait for your Son from heaven, whom you raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath..."
"Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you...."
![Illustration of Mark 7:15 — [Jesus challenged the outward show of religiosity among religious people who were ignoring their inner need to be humble and pure before God. He said:] "Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.'"](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/5443.jpg "Illustration of Mark 7:15 — [Jesus challenged the outward show of religiosity among religious people who were ignoring their inner need to be humble and pure before God. He said:] \"Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.'\"")
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