Devotional
Friday, January 31, 2025
The Circle of Influences
Mark.7.19 - Since it does not reach and enter his heart but [only his] digestive tract, and so passes on [into the place designed to receive waste]? Thus He was making and declaring all foods [ceremonially] clean [that is, abolishing the ceremonial distinctions of the Levitical Law].
Further attention to Christ’s teaching on which makes a person unworthy to God, the inward or the outward? I believe Jesus was talking here about food- which goes to your stomach, digests and excretes its wastes. Many people may have used this passage to justify their disposition to physical acts like dressing, drinking, smoking and many more acts that seem to be condemned by some evangelicals. As much as God indeed cares more about what comes from the heart, He's also aware the heart could be corrupted from without.
There are some outward acts that really matter, and can actually corrupt a man. In Mark 7:19, Jesus emphasizes that if what comes from outside doesn't affect the heart then, it cannot make you a sinner. That is to mean on the other hand, if whatever comes from outside has effects on your heart, it then can definitely make you a sinner. This is not just speaking about food, but also what you hear, watch or do.
There's no way you will watch pornographic pictures, songs or films that won't affect or become your thoughts. It will undoubtedly lead to lustful desires and immoral acts- James 1:12-22. You cannot be God's Nazirites- called, and consecrated vessel unto God, and live carelessly, Judges 13:1-5. You cannot keep bad company and not be influenced to follow their deeds. Your caucus will always Influence your ideologies. 1 Cor. 15:33.
The heart is developed by what its environment or carrier feeds it with and in turn produces accordingly. Just like computer software programming, garbage in, garbage out. Feed your heart with love, you make a loving person and loving society. Feed it with lust, it will produce promiscuity. Feed it with hatred and insecurity, all you see is hatred, wickedness and violence.
Take away the wrong spirit and everything will be fine. It's all about give and take. Feed yourself i. e. your heart with what you want to become. Positive things for positivity, and negative things produce nothing else but negativity. Feed your heart with the Word of Christ and you shall definitely become like Christ. But when you do otherwise, you cannot get anything else but the otherwise. Prune your circle of Influence.
Further Readings: Gen. 3:1-24; 1 John 2.9-17 ; Mark 7:1-23
Prayers:
I receive the grace and power to sow the seed of purity, righteousness, peace and love in my heart that I may bear the fruit of the same. I pray in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen