How can we guard our hearts against the "evil things" mentioned in Mark 7:23? Opening the Text “ ‘All these evils come from within, and they defile a man.’ ” (Mark 7:23) Jesus has just listed the dark impulses that spring from the human heart. If they originate inside, any defense has to start there as well. Recognizing the Enemy Within Mark 7:21-22 names twelve “evil things”: • sexual immorality • theft • murder • adultery • greed • wickedness • deceit • debauchery • envy • slander • arrogance • foolishness They cover desires, words, and actions. Guarding the heart means blocking each stage—thought, affection, decision—before it spills outward. Cleansing the Source, Not Just the Surface • External rules alone can’t purify the heart (Colossians 2:23). • A new heart is God’s promise in Christ (Ezekiel 36:26). • Ongoing confession keeps that heart sensitive (1 John 1:9). Practical Guards for the Heart 1. Saturate your mind with Scripture. – “I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11) 2. Watch the entry points. – “The eye is the lamp of the body.” (Matthew 6:22-23) 3. Filter your thoughts. – “Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) 4. Cultivate opposite virtues. – Greed → generosity (Acts 20:35) – Envy → gratitude (Philippians 4:11-13) – Slander → edifying speech (Ephesians 4:29) 5. Establish guardrails. – Pre-decide what media, relationships, and environments you will and will not entertain (Proverbs 4:26-27). Strengthened Through the Word • Daily intake—reading, hearing, memorizing—reorders desires (Romans 12:2). • Speaking Scripture aloud counters temptation as Jesus did (Matthew 4:1-11). Living in Dependence on the Spirit • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, and the rest of the fruit that push out the listed evils (Galatians 5:22-23). Continual Accountability • “Two are better than one… if either of them falls, the other can lift up his companion.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) • Confide struggles to mature believers who will speak truth in love (James 5:16). Hope-Filled Outlook Guarding the heart is not a one-time project; it’s a daily vigilance anchored in the finished work of Christ and empowered by His Spirit. “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) |
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