“Where Does Bad Stuff Come From”

Mark 7:20 "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man."

Sin emanates from within not from without. In the following verses Jesus gives a list of just what kind of stuff comes out of our hearts. This whole list does not originate from outside of us, and work its way in. It begins in us and finds it's expression outside of us. When we choose to give it expression. The list is not a fun list. Some of it is repulsive and some of it is every day stuff we do. Just receive what the Spirit would convict you of from this list. Remember, these are Jesus words. This is His list of the bad stuff that starts in us. I have given parenthetical examples(?) to make the list more personal to you and me.

1. Evil thoughts  (gossip?)
2. Fornication  (perversion?)
3. Thefts  (cheating)
4. Murders  (character assassination)
5. Adulteries  (betrayal)
6. Coveting  (obsessions)
7. Wickedness  (worldliness)
8. Deceit  (exaggeration)
9. Sensuality  (flirting)
10. Envy  (jealousy)
11. Slander  (un-forgiveness)
12. Pride  (self-consumption)
13. Foolishness (recklessness)

Of these things Jesus says... "All these things proceed from within and defile the man." Just in case anyone ever asks you, where bad stuff comes from. It comes from the hearts of human beings. Lots of food for thought.

For me too,

Pastor Fred