“The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.” ~ Oswald J. Smith
In the Gospel of Mark, we find a challenging scripture that many Christians have a hard time believing, especially about their own heart. 21 “It’s from the inside, from the human heart, that evil thoughts come: sexual sins, thefts, murders, 22 adultery, greed, evil actions, deceit, unrestrained immorality, envy, insults, arrogance, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from the inside and contaminate a person in God’s sight” (Mark 7:21-23). When you turn on the news or read the paper, you witness countless acts from fallen human hearts, from all around the world, every single day of your life. Yet, we are so quick to say, “I would never do anything like that.” “I would never take my own life, much less the life of someone else.” “I would never step outside my marriage or steal from my employer.” I would never fill in the blank _______________.
When we push back against these words from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we are stating that Jesus is wrong and doesn’t know our hearts. We must be rid of the self-righteousness; we are too quick to boast when we think that we are above the BIG SINS of life and only fall prey to petty sins. Like God has some a sin scale where all sins are weighed against others sins. Apart from God’s grace, every human being is capable of the evilest of all atrocities known to humankind, whether they believe it or not. If not for the free grace of God, we would self-destruct. Our sins, whatever they may be, would devour us and injure everyone around us. The heart of our problem is just that, a problem with our heart. What do you think Jesus wants from you? I can tell you; He wants your heart. When we turn our lives over to care, custody, and control of God and ask for Jesus to come live in our hearts, we receive in return victory over death and freedom from the power of sin in our lives.
Scripture Readings
Reflection Questions
- What did you take away from today’s reflection and scripture readings?
- Do you deny the words of Jesus when it comes to the problem of your heart?
- Who have you witnessed fall prey to sin at a level you never thought possible for them?
- Why are you shocked when you see people, sometimes people you love, blow their lives up when they choose to walk apart from God?
- How can you do better sharing the “good news” of Jesus to those who are lost?
- How does the heart relate to the kingdom of God?
Prayer
Lord, please overhaul my heart. Purify my motives and my desires. Make me Your person, holy and pure. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I would never do that , geeesh , a utterance I would hope to never say or think . Having made some major booos in my life and still my mind wonders in cramped circumstances . I shutter in my soul. Yes , I am capable of all of it
God help us