We can only be defiled by the things that come from within II

ByPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
I thank God for you and I trust that this day will bring you great blessings as you meditate upon the word God has given us for this day.Yesterday we established that our reaction on other people’s actions and outside pressures indicate the true content of our hearts. We also saw that those things that defile us come out of our hearts. 
«And He said, „What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 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. All these evil things come from within and defile a man» (Mark, 7: 20-23).
 The vices cited in this passage of Scripture are the cause of all the relationship problems among people. Imagine a person whose heart is full of these vices and some others, but thinks that he is alright and that he is growing in the Lord. Yes, he is alright until God starts uprooting all these rotten things through the relationships with other people. If we do not allow God to take off our mask and change us, then the relationships with people will fall apart in spite of our claims to believe God.But God does not desire for our relationships to be ruined. He wants to transform us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ. God uses people’s imperfection to open our eyes to the uncleanness that is in us. If we humble ourselves before God when we see the expressions of these vices in our lives, then He helps us to get rid of them. He wants to change us through relationships. He wants us to see what we are truly like on the inside and how much there is still that needs to change.It says in the Bible that human heart is deceitful and corrupt: 
«The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of is doings» (Jeremiah, 17: 9-10).
 Only the Lord knows the true condition of our hearts, and He wants to help us look into our hearts using the relationships we are involved in. Our views, actions and lack of actions, our words – all of these things cause particular reaction which determines the level of our spiritual maturity.The way we treat other people is the obvious indicator of our spiritual maturity. We start treating people differently as God transforms our character. We start treating them better than before; it includes our children, spouse, friends, brothers and sisters. We start to treat all of them like Jesus would. And we do it not because they have changes, but because we have. When we change, people around us change us well.So, what happens to us outwardly cannot defile us. We are defiled by the things that proceed from our hearts: our wrong reactions to the actions, words and behaviour of the people around us.Allow God to help you — to perfect you and change you into the image of Jesus Christ! I wish you God’s abundant blessings!Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

Similar Posts

  • How to effectively study the Bible II

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 5 minutes
    Sometimes one word in the Bible can be followed as a thread throughout all of the pages of the Book.I once sat down to write a letter to a brother. I prayed and asked God to help me write not just words, but to make it a blessing for this person. As I was writing, I noticed that I had started preaching in the letter. Later I put it aside, because one word had totally consumed my attention. I began to study this word in the Bible. I began studying the phrases like “God is able” and „God can”. I started reading all the verses that contained these phrases. It was so interesting that I totally forgot about the letter. The study of particular Bible words can be very interesting and profitable.

  • In order for us to do the works of Jesus, we must ask for it in prayer!

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    «Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son» (John, 14:12-13).When Jesus Himself says ‘most assuredly’, it means He wants us to pay attention. These two verses are connected. Jesus says that we can do the works that Jesus did and even more, if we pray. Jesus tried to tell His disciples that He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and that He will represent them in heaven, because He will be sitting with Him on the heavenly throne. Jesus told His disciples that they should ask in His name and that He would do what they ask so that His Father would be glorified.

  • The implanted Word of God changes an individual: his reactions, emotions, behaviour

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James, 1:21).For the Word of God to be implanted in you, you must ‘lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness’. If you are mad at everybody then you won’t be able to hear and comprehend the Word; you will read it, but it won’t work in your life. The process of engrafting requires a special treatment, protection in order to preserve the tree from infection. The same can be said about a human heart, – it must be protected from wickedness so that the Word of God could be planted and then bring forth fruit – the fruit of salvation.

  • Responsibility as a Key to Success! II

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 6 minutes
    You may have the throne, a title and a high position; but if you are irresponsible, you will lose authority and power. There is a reward for everything – for being responsible and for being irresponsible. Glory and authority belongs to the responsible people; the irresponsible one get disgrace and reproach.May God help you not shirk your responsibility to others! God will not give you more than you can bear. His grace is sufficient to help and to save you in every situation!

  • Apart from Him there is no true satisfaction and happiness!

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    «There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death» (Proverbs, 16:25). A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. I believe that this message will help us stop and not take the wrong path, since it won’t give us any fulfilment.Yesterday we discussed the fact that Solomon tried to find happiness and satisfaction in pleasures of life. He realized that all these things are vanity and „grasping for the wind”. We saw the things Solomon sought as the source of enjoyment. First, he tried different delicacies. They brought satisfaction to Solomon’s body, but he soul remained empty and hungry.