Father, this past week was a full one for sure, and I am feeling it tonight. Thank You for giving me what I need to get through it all.

Mark 7:14-23 (<<click to read the passage)

Growing up, we really didn’t worry too much about what we ate. Oh, we weren’t allowed to have just ice cream or candy, but for the most part, we ate and enjoyed what was set before us. Now I realize that things may have been a bit more homegrown and not nearly as processed then as now, but I truly think the Pharisees have nothing on us when it comes to obsessing over what and how we eat!

In a lot of ways, it has become a religion in and of itself! There are so many things that so many people won’t eat—fats, carbs, etc. Then there are those who are gluten-free, vegetarians, and vegans. We are overly fixated on so many things. Some legitimately do so for verified health reasons, but for others, it is just a fad or something else upon which to lose ourselves.

Now, for sure, there is nothing wrong with a healthy diet, but we consume way too many things that are not good for us. But the question we need to address, as my Life Application Study Bible suggests, is whether we are as stringent about what we put into our minds through reading and watching television—and I would add the music to which we listen.

The Pharisees’ obsessions with what and how they ate had no bearing whatsoever on their relationship with God – Jesus set that straight. The problem for them – and us – has more to do with mindsets and thought processes. As He said in verses 20-23,

“Whatever comes from [the heart of] a man, that is what defiles and dishonors him. For from within, [that is] out the heart of men, come base and malevolent thoughts and schemes, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, adulteries, acts of greed and covetousness, wickedness, deceit, unrestrained conduct, envy and jealousy, slander and profanity, arrogance and self-righteousness and foolishness (poor judgment). All these evil things [schemes and desires] come from within and defile and dishonor the man.” AMP

Lord Jesus, help us not to neglect the care of our bodies. We all know that they are but earthen vessels and will eventually fall to decay. More importantly, let us not neglect our souls. May we be diligent and watchful about what we allow to feed and nourish them. Amen.

(Apr 15th, 2019, Mon, 10:27 am)
Apr 21st, 2024, Sun, 8:38 pm