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Message Notes
Jesus is incredible, and He’s worth following with your whole life.
“And He called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand:” —Mark 7:14
“There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” —Mark 7:15
A defiled heart has its root on the inside.
“And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, ‘Then are you also without understanding?’” —Mark 7:17-18
“‘Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?’ (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him.’” —Mark 7:18-19
A defiled heart reveals its fruit on the outside.
“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” —Mark 7:21-23
What are the symptoms of a defiled heart?
Evil thoughts – When the heart’s desire begins to establish a sinful plan.
Sexual immorality – General word that refers to any sexual sin contrary to God’s will. This includes premarital, extramarital, and homosexual behavior.
Theft – The desire to take from another what is not yours regardless of the consequences.
Murder – Deliberately ending an innocent life.
Adultery – violating the marriage covenant by engaging in sexual behavior mentally or physically with someone that you are not married to.
Coveting – a desire for more at the expense or exploitation of another.
Wickedness – The desire to cause harm to another person.
Deceit – The desire to deceive another person for your own benefit.
Sensuality – The desire to act upon every passion without restraint. This includes excessive violence, unbridled sexual activity, and gluttony.
Envy – The desire that is unwilling to be satisfied with what you have. There is a belief that God is holding out on you.
Slander – Defaming or speaking evil of another person to make yourself feel better.
Pride – Arrogance and haughtiness. The arrogant belief that your desires are justified.
Foolishness – The senseless desire to ignore God’s wisdom.
“The basic problem of fallen humanity is not what we do but who we are! Real filth, impurity, and defilement are inside and unseen, but eventually, they will show themselves.” —Daniel Akin
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it.” —Jeremiah 17:9
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” —Proverbs 4:23
What are three crucial truths to remember when dealing with a defiled heart?
- Facing the ugly truth of our sin is painful but necessary.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” —Romans 3:23
- Understanding the full weight of sin is essential.
How does sin hurt us spiritually?
We lose intimacy and fellowship with God (1 John 1:3, 6, Isaiah 59:2)
We lose the joy of our salvation. (Psalm 51:12
We derail our spiritual growth
Quench the Holy Spirit’s ministry in our life (I Thessalonians 5:19)
We are robbed of our joy and peace. (Psalm 32:3,4)
We lose confidence in prayer. (1 John 3:19-20)
Our prayers will go unanswered. (Psalm 66:18)
We trample God’s grace. (Hebrews 10:29)
Lose blessing and favor from God (Deuteronomy 28:15-68)
We face judgment – either our own or God’s. (1 Corinthians 11:31-32)
We risk death. (Romans 6:23, 1 John 5:16)
- Jesus Christ is the only cure for a defiled heart.
“God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” —I Samuel 16:7
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” —1 John 1:9
You cannot successfully change a behavior until God has changed your heart.