What Defiles the Man?

“And He was saying, ‘That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.’” Mark 7:20

There’s really not a lot that can be added to this verse; I don’t think it needs much clarification or commentary, at least not from me, so instead I will just ask God to help me guard what proceeds from out of my mouth today. As I renew my mind this day I pray that I will strive to have the mind of Christ in all circumstances and situations I face so that when I speak from the abundance of my heart it will be Christ-like and God honoring as well as pleasing and edifying to those who hear.

Remember, bad words usually start as bad thoughts. I’m not talking about profanity, which is defiling by nature. I’m talking about hurtful or angry words, gossip, and lies which can be even more devastating in their power to defile, not the one they are directed at but the one who utters them.