Verse: Mark 7:1–23
If we pay attention to this whole chapter, we can see that the Lord wants to teach us about our heart. When the Pharisees saw that Jesus and His disciples did not wash their hands before eating, Jesus explained that God is not pleased with outward appearances, but rather with what is in the heart.
Let’s see, Mark 7:21–22 says:
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.”
We know very well that we should stay away from things like adultery, lies, and idolatry, because the Law teaches us so. But sometimes, we keep jealousy and envy in our hearts toward one another — and this comes from within the heart.
We cannot bear to see another person’s success, whether it is spiritual growth or worldly achievement. If our brother or sister in faith is growing spiritually, and God is using them mightily even though they are new in the Lord, a feeling of jealousy may arise in our hearts: “How can someone new teach us?” Then we begin to stand against that person, speak ill of them, or turn others against them.
The same happened with Cain and Abel — the Lord accepted Abel’s offering but not Cain’s, and so Cain became jealous of him. In his heart, he planned to kill Abel. Every evil and sin begins in the heart.
Likewise, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram became jealous of Moses. If we read Numbers 16:1–35, we see they said to Moses, “You have taken too much upon yourself; we are also holy.”
If we reflect on this, we understand how jealousy began in their hearts, because God was with Moses and spoke to him face to face. For this reason, they envied him — but God destroyed them.
Whether we are small or great in the Lord, we are all equal — we are all branches of the same body. Paul says we must not think of ourselves more highly than others, and we must honor God’s servants.
Whatever is in the heart comes out — whether good or evil. Because of this, we fail to grow spiritually and cannot know God’s will, since our conduct does not change. Our heart condemns us, and therefore, we do not receive what we ask for.
Jeremiah 17:9 — “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”
Let’s see some verses below which help us overcome such a heart — one that leads to death — and be free from every evil thought. These verses are a key; we must declare them daily in prayer and in our hearts to receive deliverance.
Romans 8:27 — “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
(Believe that Jesus wants to work deeply in our hearts; we must surrender everything to Him.)
1 Corinthians 2:16 — “For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”
(We know what the mind of Jesus is; we must declare this Word whenever jealousy or envy arises.)
Psalm 103:1–2 — “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
(We should repeat this verse in our hearts at all times; you will surely be blessed. I have learned and experienced this in my own life. Amen! May the Lord give you all grace.)
Job 27:6 — “My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me as long as I live.”
