[Mark 7:14-23 KJV] “And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: there is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”
“And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?”
“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
In this text, the Lord was very clear on things that defile men; and He emphatically stated that there is nothing from without a man that can defile him. Anything that goes into a man goes into his belly and not his heart; but anything that comes from a man comes from the heart and can defile him.
Among the list of things that defile men are:
- Evil thoughts: Thoughts that precipitates evil.
- Adulteries: Cheating couples with either singles or married persons is adultery. Sometimes the adultery even takes place in the mind and heart.
- Fornications: Fornication is any form of sexual or lustful thoughts or action that involves two people who are not married. Fornication is actually a form of sexual sin between two or more unmarried persons. It may not necessarily be promiscuous but illicit. Whether you do it with one person or multiple partners, it’s a sin.
- Murders: According to the scriptures all forms of hatred, resentment, and taking another person’s life; or denying them the right to live is murder and it defiles. Their blood stains your clothes and defiles you.
- Thefts: This involves stealing, pilfering, robbery, defrauding etc. All these defile and the Bible says “the curse of the Lord dwells in the house of the thief.” Theft defiles!
- Covetousness: To covet is to wish that what belongs to another legitimately was rather yours. To covet is to want what I have; sometimes you wish you were the person getting married and not her or him. That is covetousness. To crave what belongs to another, not even the same type but the very one. You wish you could dispossess them of what they have.
- Wickedness: Wickedness goes way past being naughty or mischievous; it means a quality of true evil. Wickedness is used synonymous with sin and evil. It is to perpetuate evil against another and take pleasure in their suffering and pain
- Deceit: Deceit is to defraud or deceive another. To tell lies in order to make someone take an action that accrues to your benefit or put them at a disadvantage willfully.
- Lasciviousness: The difference between lasciviousness and fornication is being filled with or showing sexual desire : lewd, lustful; lascivious acts/thoughts; whereas fornication is having sex out of marriage. Lasciviousness actually is demonstrating lewdness and soliciting for sexual pleasure. It is a lustful or lewd quality; the quality of arousing sexual desire. It is actually behaviour that expresses a strong desire for sexual activity. Showing that you are interested in sex and alluring others with your behaviour.
- An evil eye: To have an evil eye is to gaze or stare superstitiously believed to cause harm. Evil eyes have always been associated with wanting to inflict pain, harm, or wishing misfortune on others.
- Blasphemy: To blaspheme is to act or speak sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; blasphemy is profane talk. BLASPHEMY is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God.
- Pride: Pride is a beast and one of the cardinal sins. Allow God to deal with pride in your heart.
- Foolishness: Foolishness would take many to hell. I pray that you shall be delivered from the oppression!
Stay blessed
