Golden Nugget: “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come.”

Daily Verse: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come.” —Mark 7:20–21

Daily Message:

Have you ever had a bad dream that stuck with you and left you feeling anxious or angry? Or a negative thought about yourself that just kept buzzing around your in brain like a pesky mosquito? These are examples of  things going on inside us that can distort our feelings, thoughts, and actions, leaving us—as Jesus says—defiled. How do we get rid of them?

In Jesus’ day, the obsession with outward, physical cleanliness was taken to extremes. Jesus had to correct the imbalance by addressing the things that can really mess us up in the long run: greed, lust, impure thoughts, selfishness. The list goes on. It’s these things that ruin lives, not lapsed hygiene (though that can cause its own trouble too!).

Jesus puts priority on our inner lives. The way we feel and think needs redirecting and refreshing. Jesus is in the business of cleansing from the inside out, from the thoughts of the heart to the words of the mouth, from the movement of our minds to the movement of our limbs.

Consider This:

• When’s the last time you were able to talk about what’s going on deep inside you with someone?
• What are some thoughts and feelings you know need to be redirected?

Take Action: 

Make an effort to redirect your thoughts away from negativity and impurity to thoughts of faith and purity. Ask God to align your thoughts with his own, to cleanse you from the inside out.