# 437 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:14-16 “When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: "There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"
The Pharisees charge against the disciples of eating food with unwashed hands has been answered by Jesus. The Pharisees having left, Jesus once more turns His attention to the crowd and He uses the incident a s a teachable moment for the crowd. He really wants the people (and us) to understand what He is about to say “Hear Me! Understand Me.” denotes special emphasis.
It's not the dirt on your hands that touches the food that enters your mouth that defiles you. It's the rebellion that starts in your heart and manifests itself in thoughts, words and deeds that defile. Jesus wasn't giving the green light here for everyone to go out for baby back ribs. The Old Covenant was still in place and that would be rebellion against God's commands concerning unclean food. These food restrictions of the Old Testament would be lifted soon enough.
But He was telling the people that the man-made safe-guarding traditions of the Pharisees concerning cleanliness, could in no way protect a man's heart from defilement or sin. Germs cannot contaminate your soul, but sin can. Guard it against any and all things that lead to sin.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
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