Mark 7:19-23
[19] Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
[20] And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
[21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
[22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
[23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
When you begin to think about all of the parts of yourself that you wish that you could change, I am sure there are many things that come to mind. One thing that I have learned about God is that if we are willing that He can work with us to change each and every part of us that is lacking or is continually falling into defeat in something. After reading the passage above, I felt led just to list out into more detail some of the things that proceed out of our hearts:
1 ) Fornication and adultery – any act or sexual traffic or capacity
2 ) Theft – kieptes and legtes – tiny and large acts of stealing (as a pilferer and brigand)
3 ) Murderer – all violent deeds
4 ) Coveting – idolatry, whose sole purpose is gaining and getting
5 ) Wickedness – unspiritual and ungodly conduct
6 ) Deceit – cunning, craft, and art of deception
7 ) Lasciviousness – acknowledge no restraint has no shame
8 ) Evil eye – jealous grudges or envy
9 ) Railing – speaking against (men) or blasphemy (God)
10 ) Pride – absence from the heart spiritually unconscious
11 ) Foolishness – one who lives not by morals
With this listed it is very easy to identify how our walk with God can be so easily diminished. As we allow one or more of these types of feelings to overwhelm us, we begin to lose our ability to believe in God and defile the power that we normally have. So what can we begin to do? One of my recommendations under the leadership of God would be to put each and every one of these things under subjection and complete defeat when possible. These listed things are not things to live with, but to live without! Learn to get these out and put more of God’s love in and to bear the fruits of the spirit in your heart.