Jesus uncovers the heart’s condition and provides the cure.

11/16/25 

A pure heart isn’t achieved through outward effort but received through the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.

Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand.
It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.” — Mark 7:14–15 NLT 

He is challenging the crowd’s superficial approach to spirituality and pointing them toward the deeper way to live.

Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. 
“Don’t you understand either?” he asked. 
“Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? 19 Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” 
(By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)
And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. — Mark 7:17–20 NLT 

Within every human being there is a heart that needs to be made clean, and no external effort will ever scrub away the stains.

For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.
All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” — Mark 7:20–23 NLT 

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! — Matthew 5:21-22a NLT

You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery. ’But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. — Matthew 5:27-28 NLT

It is not just our outward actions that defile us, it is also the inward thoughts, attitudes and motivations of the heart that produce sin and lead to death.

(By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.) — Mark 7:19b NLT

Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. — Matthew 5:17 NLT 

Salvation — We have been saved from the penalty of sin.

Sanctification — We are being saved from the power of sin.

Glorification — One day we will be saved from the presence of sin.

…through the transforming grace of Jesus Christ we can receive forgiveness of our sins and be made clean all the way down to the depths of our soul!

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. — Romans 10:9 NLT

…walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. — Galatians 5:16 NIV