Little Adolph Hitlers

# 441 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:20-23 And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. "All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

The heart is a cesspool. I think we need to be constantly reminded of that fact because one of the wicked attributes of the heart that Jesus listed is “deceit.” Our heart is so wicked it constantly lies to us about how wicked we really are.

As we listen to our heart we begin to believe that we are basically “good” persons. Most of us have either fallen for that lie, or are living it right now. Our heart tell s us that we are “good enough” people and that God will surely allow us into heaven on Judgment Day. C'mon, admit it, most of us think that the good we have done in this life outweighs the bad and this fact alone will guarantee us a spot in heaven.

But if that's the case for even one of us.....who needs Jesus? This Jesus who paid the price for every wicked thought word and deed that ever proceeded or will proceed from your lying heart said, “without Me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5) and that first and foremost means sneaking your way into heaven. You can't do it without Him!

In this portion of Mark, Jesus is merely restating Jer 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Sometimes we pick up the paper or our history books and we read of the atrocities committed against other people and we shake our heads and wonder, “How can anybody be so wicked?”

Well listen people and understand and get on your knees and thank God because without the influence of His grace through His Word, in this world, we would all be little Adolph Hitlers. Don't believe me? Well, that doesn't surprise me. Read Jeremiah 17:9 again.

I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.