“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
The disciples of Jesus were eating with unclean hands, while the Pharisees and religious leaders always washed their hands before eating. They questioned Jesus, asking why His disciples ate with unclean hands. Jesus explained that it is what is inside a person that makes them clean or unclean—not what they eat with their hands. He pointed out that the Pharisees were too focused on external cleanliness, such as washing hands and pots, but neglected the condition of their hearts.
Later, Jesus explained to His disciples the meaning of this teaching, referring to Isaiah’s prophecy:
“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” (Isaiah 29:13, also referenced in Matthew 15:8-9)
He further clarified that nothing entering a person from the outside can defile them because food does not enter the heart but the stomach and then passes out of the body. Instead, it is what comes from within a person’s heart that makes them unclean.
“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23)
As believers in Christ, we must guard our hearts against these sinful desires and passions of the flesh, which are the result of the corruption in the world inherited from the first man, Adam.
“Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:4)
We have been given grace, even before time began, to say no to the desires of the flesh and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
As we live by the Spirit, we should not seek to gratify the desires of the flesh but rather crucify them daily with God's help.
“In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
So let us, as God’s chosen children, lay aside everything that entangles us and, with humble and pure hearts, be transformed from the inside out. What we do externally does not matter as much as what is happening in our hearts.“
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Is our heart being directed by the Holy Spirit of truth? Are we walking in the grace and light of Christ, which helps us navigate this sinful and corrupt world?
We pray that the God of mercy and grace will give us a new heart—a humble, gentle, and contrite heart like our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ—so that we may learn from His example.
“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love.”
(Hosea 10:12)As dearly loved children of God, may we walk in the way of love, just as Christ gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice for our sins.
“Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
I pray that we heed the words of our Lord and Saviour, who calls all mankind:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)