KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 15:11 (KJV). “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

The Lord Jesus declared that, it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but that, which comes out of him. Mark’s gospel explains this issue further “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,” — Mark 7:21 (KJV) When the Lord talked about that which enters the man, He was talking about foods that we eat. In the law certain foods or animals were considered as unclean. Such laws were customary. Customary laws dealt with identification and association. One’s dress shows that he belongs to this tribe or people. They had nothing to do with the morals of the person. Moral laws dealt with one’s submission to God and His authority over that individual.

WHEN a moral law is broken, it is an act of rebellion and it also DEFILES the individual. Customary laws do not defile the individual since it has to do with foods, dresses and certain outward practices. A customary law can be defiling when one’s motive in doing it has moral implications.

TAKING this point higher, evil thoughts are suggesting of demons, that. challenge God’s authority and also DEFILES, since those spirits are called unclean or defiling spirits. The scripture teaches that suggesting of these spirits are as follows: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”— 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)These are thoughts, imaginations, that raises themselves against God and His word. If a Christian gives in to a thought from an evil spirit, he is under the influence of that spirit.

HOW does children of God come under the influence of these spirits?  They first deceive the child of God to justify his grounds to think that way. If he does not stop that way of thinking, he would start acting in that light. James 1 :14,15. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death”.

Dear brother or sister, any thought that excites the flesh against the way and word of God will defile you. 1 John 1:9 reads,” if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. Sin rebels and defiles. God forgives our rebellion and cleanses the defilement caused by sin.

CONFESSION

I determine what I think about. My mind is trained to sieve through every thought that comes to me. My actions always glorify God.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 6:16 (KJV). “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Romans 12:1 (KJV) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”