The Parables of Jesus - The Heart of Man

In this teaching, there is one essential truth that we must understand, and it is this: it is not what enters into us, or what enters into our body, that defiles our heart, but what comes out of it.

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Pastor Karim

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to this new episode of the Gospel for the Nations podcast. This podcast has been brought to you by Pastor Kareem. Our desire is to open the Word of God with you and to speak in a way that is clear, simple, and full of grace. Wherever you are listening from, we pray that the Holy Spirit will touch your heart through his word, strengthen your faith, and draw you closer to Jesus.

SPEAKER_02 0:25

So today we are going to look together at this teaching of Jesus, but building on what we saw last week, as I mentioned, which speaks about salvation by faith in Christ, in him. That is the love expressed through the complete trust in him. We have faith, we trust in him, and we give our life. And because of that, God sees our heart and give us salvation. So the gospel of Christ has always been a matter of a heart, which is the center of life. For without a heart, we cannot live. And without a heart that is united to Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we are without spiritual and eternal life. So the Bible tells us that the heart and the soul are the inner life of a man. The created invisible part of our being that guides us. As it is written, then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostril the breath of life. And the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7. Showing us that life on earth comes from God. And the eternal life also comes from God. But through Jesus Christ. Who is God? For God sent his only son not to save what we possess or what we have built in this world, but to save our soul. This is within us. This heart that lives either according to the world or according to God through Jesus Christ. And he is enlighted by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and gives us eternal life. In this teaching, there is all one essential truth that we must understand. And it is this: it is not what enters into us, or what enters into our body that defiles our hearts, but what comes out of it. The main question we must ask ourselves is this what defiles us and before whom? The answer is sin and before God. For what defiles us is the sin that we commit against God, against Him. Not the food that we eat, but our thoughts, our words, and our actions. For as the word of God teaches, what comes from the hearts shapes our actions and leads to consequences that are either pleasing to God or not. So before reading the passage, let us first look at the context in order to understand it better. It's in Mark chapter 7, verse 14 to 16. I have put the verse 16 in red because some manuscript doesn't have the verse 16. So I put it just to remember what Jesus says after each parable, if anyone has here to hear or understand. And he called the people to him again and said to them, Hear me, all of you, and understand. There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him. But the things that come out of a person are what defile him. If anyone has here to heal, let him hear. This teaching takes place during a time when Jesus was performing many miracles in healings in the region called Genezaret. It was very fertile, a rich agriculture, a place of abundance, almost like a paradise in Galilee. Because of its natural resources and the sources of water, it was an amazing place. The many events that took place there show that Jesus was accessible to all, no matter their physical or social condition. He performed miracles, revealing his compassion and his authority over all creation. So, in this way, this region, full of life, also became a picture of the spiritual renewal and the miracles that Jesus offers to those who come to him by faith. It is not just the natural resources that we might have. So the context shows that Jesus is actively addressing the crowd. He's very active. He calls the crowd to himself and speaks to them in a direct way, challenging their way of glorifying God as well. He confronts their religious practices, practices that were given by God, yes, but that had become in the way they were lived out, very far from what God truly deserved. As Jesus Himself said, to love God and to love others, these are the two greatest commandments and the fulfillment of the law. The problem was not the law in itself, which is good and perfect, but the heart of man, which applied it without understanding its meaning or living its inner reality. What the Lord is teaching here, once again, it's a matter of the condition of the heart of man. For to follow commandments, especially those related to the food laws, while thinking that this makes us right before God. And while the heart remains evil and far from him, it is an abomination before God. For God does not first look at the outward appearance, but at the heart. I would say the heart of his creation. And the heart that is far from God cannot produce anything that from the beginning God is concerned with the heart, and that true obedience flows from the heart that believes. But the spirit gives life. That's what it says. But if we follow the Bible with a genuine heart to please God, then we can bear fruit. This means that following commandments without a sincere heart, transformed and attached to God, leads to a dead religion. Not a legalism based on the law written on the tablets of stone, the Bible says. But a life shaped by a law, not written on the tablets of stone, but of the heart. Because of the Spirit of the Lord lives within us, we have the law of God in us. For what God desires is not simply outward obedience, but a renewed heart. A heart like David's, not perfect, not upright, but repentant and genuine, authentic before God. A heart that recognizes its sin, that returns to God and that seeks to please Him in truth. Amen. So this transformation means living in the kingdom of God. It's exactly what Jesus came to reveal and to proclaim, but also teach. That what comes out of the heart shows our true spiritual condition, revealing our standing before God, not according to the law, but through the fruits and the thoughts that comes from our hearts. Let us now read today's passage. Verse 17 to 19. And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, Then are you also within understanding, without understanding? Do you not see what that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him? Since intent us not in his heart, but his stomach, and is expelled, and some version will add, thus he declares all foods clean. This is also important, but this is another topic. We can see that the disciples had not really understood. Again, we see that the disciples are following Jesus and they try to understand what their master had said to the crowd, to the people. And we can also see how Jesus answered them. Yes, Jesus responded with a kind of astonishment at their lack of understanding. And yet, when the Bible tells us that God is patient, it is once again confirming this truth. God is patient with us. Do you understand? Do we understand? This was not the first time that Jesus spoke to his disciples about the heart of man, about religiosity, and about the hypocrisy of those who say that they love God, but do not bear its fruit. So Jesus confronts his disciples with a lack of understanding, almost placing them in the same position as a crowd, to show them that they were not truly listening. So listening without understanding does not produce fruit. However, true understanding is a matter of the heart, not only the intellect. It is a faith that believes out of love, not a blind faith without foundation. It is to believe that God sent his son, Jesus Christ, who is our Lord and Savior, the one who was and is and is to come. Jesus has always been here. That is why Jesus explained to them in a very direct way. So that they understand that the person is not made unclean before God by what he puts into his body. The food, some food was considered unclean according to the law. Because this food goes into the stomach and is then expelled from the body, it doesn't define the heart. These things do not enter the heart of man. In other words, they do not affect our relationship with God and with others. They concern the body, our physical condition, which is also important. Since the body belongs to God and is the temple of the Holy Spirit, yes, we have to take care of God's property. However, this is not the spiritual condition that Jesus is addressing. He is speaking about the heart, which has a direct impact on spiritual death. That is our separation from God Himself, and therefore from all the blessings that come from Him. So let's read the continuation of the passage, verse 20 to 23. And he said, What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and they defile a person. So what comes out of man in this passage? It is what comes out of our heart, which is sin against God. This is what defiles us, what makes us impure before God, and what separates us from Him. Not because God punishes us, but because our own heart defiles us and distance us from His holiness. So this condition is the sinful nature of man, the one we have inherited from Adam and Eve. Yes, when we believe in Jesus Christ and repent of our sins to our God, we are forgiven and we are cleansed from our past, presence, and future sins. Yes. However, our heart must be renewed and transformed by the Holy Spirit. And we are called to submit to the Spirit. When we do not submit, we experience something called an inner conflict. The struggle between the flesh, our body, and the spirit. There is a conflict. As scripture teaches, the spirit leads us toward the holiness, while the flesh pulls us back towards sin. You see? Two opposite directions. So in this way we learn to live according to this new identity, leaving behind our whole life and fully embracing our new identity, Christ. It's a learning process, but we have to start. If our heart deceives us, it is because it has not been renewed. It remains in our old life. In our old patterns, in our old ways of thinking. We are not submitted to the will of God for our lives. So the Bible tells us that the heart is deceitful and that we cannot rely on it. And what was the heart of the religious people toward Jesus? What was the condition of their heart? It was closed. In what they thought they understood, refusing to receive what God was doing by sending them the Messiah. They heard heavenly truth, but remained in the earnestness of their hearts, saying that they loved God with the lips, but did not love him in their actions. So we see here a list of the consequences of the condition of the human heart when it does not belong to God, or when the one who belongs to him does not rely on the Holy Spirit, but instead on their own strength, their own understanding, just like this crowd to whom Jesus was speaking while proclaiming the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus also exposes what is truly in the human's heart. First of all, our thoughts and desires. Evil thoughts are the origin of sinful actions. In the book of James, it is written that each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, give birth to sin. And sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. There is a pattern. This means that we cannot blame God for what happens, but that our own heart is the source of evil. This is the truth. Covetousness is also called idolatry. Colossians 3 5 compares covetousness to idolatry. Why? Because it replaces God with material things. Jesus warns us, take care and be on your own guard against all covetousness. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. Envy is a destructive jealousy. For example, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him because he was jealous. While we are called to learn contentment in every situation, and comparison leads us away from God as entrusted to us. It shows that we do not fully understand our identity in Christ. As we look at others instead of living fully the life God has given us when we compare ourselves all the time to others. This is also a sin against God. But also our actions, sexual immorality. This includes all behaviors, thoughts, deeds, and words outside of God's design for a man and a woman in their union through marriage. Flee, the Bible says, from sexual immorality, for your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Theft shows a lack of trust in God and is clearly condemned. You shall not steal one of the Ten Commandments. Because God provides our needs, and by faith we trust in His provision. Then we have murder and even anger in the heart reveals the seriousness of inner sin. You shall not murder one of the commandments as well, ten commandments. But Jesus says, everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. So taking a life of one God's creatures reveal the condition of the hearts. Because one word can kill a person. But this is another subject. Then we have adultery, is also condemned. You shall not commit adultery. And Jesus says, everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Because adultery is unfaithfulness. Not only toward a spouse, but also a picture of unfaithfulness toward God. How can someone claim to be faithful to an invisible God if they are not fully unfaithful to a visible person? Our word also is important. Slander is also condemned. It destroys relationships. While we are called to speak the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15. It comes from a heart driven by pride, bitterness, and jealousy. And it tears others down instead of building them up. Slender. Deceit is also contempt. You shall not bear false witness. Also, one of the Ten Commandments. And Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Deceit goes directly against the truth of God. Lying has been the enemy's tool from the beginning. As the serpent deceived humanity and led it away from God. But also our condition before God. Wickedness expresses a corrupt heart that is far from God. It is not only outward actions, but the inner condition of our hearts that does not seek God, does not submit to Him, and does not desire what is good. This is called wickedness. The Lord says, seek, and you shall find. Sensuality shows a life given over to excess and stands in opposition to a holy life. Do not get drunk with wine, but fill with the spirit. Ephesians 5 18. But it also includes addictions that leads to destruction. We can see Proverbs 7:21 to 23, with much seductive speech, she persuades him with her smooth talk. She compels him. All at once he follows her as the ox goes to the slaughter. He does not know that it will cost him his life. Talking about a prostitute here. This is what the Proverbs 16, verse 18 says: pride goes before destruction. Because to exalt ourselves is to rise against God. But Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humility. And finally, we have foolishness. In the Bible, is not a lack of intelligence, but a rejection of God and his wisdom. So finding a true sense, a purpose means seeking God's will for our lives. This is foolishness. Amen. So to conclude, for if the man, the problem of man is his heart, then the solution cannot come from man himself. We don't have the solution ourselves. Man cannot purify himself, he cannot change his own heart. He cannot, by his own efforts, come to God. But God, in his mercy, has provided a solution. He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to accomplish what we were enabled to do. And it is through the work of the Holy Spirit that our heart is transformed, renewed, and regenerated. But therefore, it is not by our works, nor by our religion, nor by our own will, but by the grace of God alone that we are saved. This is why salvation is a work of grace. If we are here today, is to receive this word that can set us free from our sin, which separates us from God and from His holiness. It is also what makes us pleasing God. I love you, I follow you, and I obey you. As we have the Holy Spirit as our helper and our guide, without Him we will always be dominated by the temptations of this world, but also the consequences that come from them. Whether for those who do not yet know the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ, or for believers who are living according to the rhythm of this world. Just let us submit ourselves to his holy will and believe that God rewards those who seek him with a sincere and a pure heart. Amen. What can we learn and apply from this passage? First of all, the human heart is deceitful. But the renewed heart is faithful. We are not talking about maturity in the Lord. We have different levels of understanding, God's word, living according to God's will. This is called maturity, spiritual maturity. They're talking about integrity here, faithfulness. I do, I make mistake, I repent, I do it faithfully, and I learn, I grow. Jeremiah 79 says, the heart is deceitful above all things. Second one is the human heart is sinful. The renewed heart is purified. Mark 721 says, For from within, out of the heart of man, it means that we live with a sin and we have to cover it, transform it with the help of the Holy Spirit. The human heart is prideful, but the renewed heart is humble. James four six says, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. It's a beautiful verse. Humbleness before God and before others as well. It goes together. And the human heart is corrupted from the beginning until the end. But the renewed heart is transformed every day. From when we woke up until when we go to sleep. David knew that he had to cleanse his heart. You see the contradiction, but at the same time, it shows us human nature. David was the greatest king. He was an amazing shepherd, courageous, the heart according to God. But he has sinned. Because God wanted to show his people that humans are weak. Once we are kings, then we forget God. But through repentance, through submission, he came back greater than ever. He had to be transformed, crushed, and become the greatest of the greatest kings. Amen. Hallelujah. Let's pray. May the grace of our God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, set us free from our sin. So that we may walk in the ways and the purposes that God has prepared beforehand for his glory. He alone, the one true God, to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, be all praise and glory. Amen. Hallelujah. Let's submit ourselves to the will of God. Give him the first place in our life. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 44:56

Thank you for listening today. If the Lord used this message to bless you, feel free to share it so others can also be encouraged and strengthened for the coming days. Keep seeking him, keep reading his word, and keep trusting his grace every single day.