Mark 7:14-15
14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”
Where do you look for advice or guidance? One of the most common pieces of advice that you will hear in popular culture is to look within yourself. The idea is that deep within a person is the greatest source of wisdom.
The problem with this advice is that it couldn’t be more wrong. Jesus teaches us that “what comes out of a person” defiles him. Our sinful nature is within us! If we turn in upon ourselves, we will be overcome with evil. Where then shall we turn?
If we want to find true wisdom, we need to look outside of ourselves. But, we can’t just look anywhere. Instead, we must go to the source of truth. Jesus, in praying for us, asked this of our Heavenly Father, “17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth – John 17:17.” Jesus teaches us that we need God’s Word to know the truth.
God the Holy Spirit teaches us the truth by using God’s Word, the Holy Bible. The study of the Holy Bible isn’t just a cursory reading. Rather, it is a life-long meditation on the Word which the Holy Spirit uses to teach us about ourselves and our Savior Jesus.
When we are considering what to do in life, we are called to meditate on the Ten Commandments and all of God’s Word that tells us what to do and not to do. God’s Word clears our minds, helps us understand what truly is best, and leads us to see ourselves as we are, sinners in need of a Savior.
God’s Word doesn’t leave us without hope at this point. Rather, God shows us that He does care for us, and in Jesus has come to save us by paying the penalty of our sins through His death on the cross. Through faith in Jesus we are forgiven. Through baptism we are given faith, and the presence of the Holy Spirit to encourage us in holy living. God shows His great love and grants us the joy of knowing that as Jesus is risen in glory from the dead, so shall we rise to live with Him forever.
Where do you look for advice or guidance? By God’s Grace you have been given faith to turn God’s Word. As you hear God’s Word in church, reflect upon it in your daily life, and rejoice in the gifts of your Savior, you will receive the wisdom of God to guide you.
Let us pray
I thank you Lord Jesus for showing me the dangers that are within my sinful self. I praise you for directing me to your Word and for providing me faith to hear your voice. Forgive my sins and strengthen my daily life that I may walk with you. In your name I pray, AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.