WE ARE DEFILED BY WHAT WE SAY NOT BY WHAT WE EAT

Proclamation:

“Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them.  Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”  Mark 7:15 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark.  This is the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  He begins this chapter by relaying the discussion which Jesus, The Christ, had with the scribes and Pharisees regarding His disciples eating food with unwashed hands. (Mark 7:1-23)  Jesus made the point to them that it was not that which entered the mouth which defiled a person but rather it was that which comes out of the mouth that defiles them.  For the evil which is within a person’s heart becomes his thoughts, words, and behavior and that defiles him. (Matthew 15:11 and Mark 7:20-23)

Application:

People have claimed that eating certain foods and breaking certain traditions is sinful.  Unfortunately, man has created a number of traditions, even religious traditions, which have nothing to do with The Word of God.  Some people get so caught up in the little things, focusing on the details, until they miss the big picture, the overall purpose.  Not eating pork, meat, or dairy products does not make one a better person.  One can even eat too much of the “right” foods and make one’s self sick.  While most of our diets need improvement, we have a bigger problem with the words that we speak, and the manner in which we speak them.  Out of the mouth come the issues of the heart. (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:18, and Luke 6:45)  Our evil and sinful thoughts lead to spoken words which are hurtful, not helpful, deceptive, untruthful, and not very nice. (Colossians 3:8)  Our words can defile us and we will have to give an account for them one day. (Matthew 12:36)  We need to pray that The Lord God will create within us a clean heart and mind, and that He will guide our thoughts, words, and behavior.

GOD SEES ALL THAT WE DO

Proclamation:

“For your ways are in full view of The Lord, and He examines all of your paths.”  Proverbs 5:21 (NIV)  The King James version of The Bible reads: "For the ways of man are before the eyes of The Lord, and He pondereth all his goings."  Proverbs 5:21 (KJV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by King Solomon, who was blessed to be the wisest man to ever live. (2 Chronicles 1:11-12)  Solomon wanted the people to know that The Lord God was watching them all of the time and sees everything that they do.  His purpose was to encourage them to behave in a Christ-like manner.

Application:

Imagine a video camera being focused upon you, 24 hours each day, 365 days of the year.  Would you want that recording played back to all of your family and friends in church, especially if it included all that you said and thought?  That which is done in the dark will soon come to the light.  Some people say, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."  It is as if they believe that God is not there and that He does not see all that goes on in Las Vegas, and everywhere else.  God sees all of our actions.  He also hears all of our spoken words, and He can read our minds and our hearts.  He knows all of our thoughts and the motives behind our behavior.  It is a sin to think sinful thoughts. (Matthew 5:28)  For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)  God knows us, and He love us in spite of our sinful behavior.  However, on judgement day, Jesus is going to judge each of us on all of our thoughts, words, and deeds. (Matthew 12:36-37, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, and Revelation 20:12-13)  We should repent now and ask for forgiveness for all of our sins, and pray for His help to avoid them in the future.

WHAT WILL BE SAID ABOUT OUR LIFE AFTER WE DIE

Proclamation:

“The Lord said, ‘What have you done?  Listen!  Your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.’”  Genesis 4:1-10 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Moses and were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel.  Abel gave God his best, while Cain just offered God some of his increase.  God accepted Abel's offering but he rejected Cain's offering. (Genesis 4:4-5)  Cain got angry and killed his brother Abel, and God punished him for that.

Application:
Abel’s blood spoke to God after his death.  What will our “blood” say about us when we are dead?  The word “blood” here is a figure of speech, it is something that will be left behind after our soul leaves our body.  What will be remembered about us and said about us after we die?  Some of the people that we encountered during our walk on earth will remember the good or bad that we did to them or to others.  However, it is much more important to know what will the life that we have lived say to God about us after our death?  God knows whether we have truly given Him our best, when we have been wronged by others, and when we have done wrong unto others.  We will have to give an account for our actions, as well as for our words and thoughts.  When we stand before Jesus in judgement, we won't have to say a word, our lives will speak for us.  The most important question that we can ask ourselves now is, “What will our life say about us and what we did, or did not do, to give God glory?”  While we are still living, we have a chance to positively affect the answer to that question.  Let’s make sure that when we stand before Jesus that He says to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”