From the Heart

Mark 7:14-23 
 To understand the context leading into Jesus’ teaching, we must see the way the beliefs of the Pharisees impacted their judgment toward Jesus Christ.  Mark 7:14-15 NLT Jesus teaches the following principle:

“What we do and who we are is tied directly to what we believe.” 

Mark 7:17-18a NLT This shows us that no matter how many times we hear this principle taught, we need to listen and take in the word of the Lord again and again.  Mark 7:18b-19 NLT Jesus explicitly teaches that what God cares about most comes from within our hearts.  Mark 7:20-23 NLT Jesus is teaching us that it is from our collection of convictions and most deeply held beliefs that we find the true source of our actions. Until we look within, we will never understand why we struggle. Luke 6:45 NIV Jesus expands his teaching and invites us to apply this truth to our real-life decisions.