Guarding Your Heart

Guarding Your Heart

Mark 7:20-23, NLT

And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

Setting the Scene

In this confrontation with the Pharisees and his discussion with the disciples, Jesus clearly stated the problem—sin in a person’s heart. That’s where sin begins, and what is inside a person comes out in words and actions. Jesus’ list of these sins is representative of common human conflicts and struggles. Daily we hear reports of these sinful acts. The good news of the gospel offers the only cure for humanity’s natural defilement. Cleansing can only come by the blood of Jesus Christ offered on our behalf. Only then can we become pure before God.

Believers aren’t immune to sinful actions, however. We also struggle with heart issues—but we have the power to resist, to change, and to choose to do right, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Paul explained how this happens (see Romans 6–8). Unless the Holy Spirit controls our sinful nature, we will experience continual outbursts of the “flesh.” We need to guard our hearts.

Getting Personal

What evidence do you see in your life of this inward struggle to resist sin? When is this struggle more intense?

What steps can you take to guard your heart?

God promised his people, “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT). The “heart” is the basic core of a person, home to his or her true motives, thoughts, desires, and values. When we trust in Christ, the Holy Spirit begins living in us, changing us to be more like Christ as we yield to him. As Jesus told his disciples, the heart is what matters. Guard your heart.

Talking to God

Check out Psalm 51:10-12 and pray along with David that God would create in you a “clean heart” and a “loyal spirit.” God will honor your longing to please him—from the inside out.