.Who would you say, is a REALLY bad person?

 ²⁰ And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²² coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander,  pride, foolishness.  ²³ All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Each of us have an unconscious litmus test of a person that is really good and one that is really bad.  We may even have an imaginary scale of 1-10 in our minds.  We place ourselves somewhere on the list with a few people in front of us and a few people…maybe a lot of people that are behind us. 

We have simple measurements that we use.  “I have never done this, so I am better in this area.  I have done this wrong thing, but it is not as bad as the person who had done that wrong thing.”  All of this thinking is to position us higher on the scale so that compared to others we are doing okay.

I saw a childrens’ illustration once that is apropos for this issue.  A mixing bowl was placed on a table.  A brand new box of brownies was opened and the contents placed in the mixing bowl.  The egg, water, and oil were then added.  A spatula was used to stir the mixture to get the ingredients to the right consistency.  Then a special ingredient was added to the mixture.  It was just a table spoon of fresh dog poop.  The speaker continued to mix the ingredients and talk about sharing his brownies with everyone once they were finished baking.  He even asked if one or the kids wanted to lick the spoon….yuck.  That little bit of poop that was added destroyed the whole dessert.

Jesus shared a long list, but not necessarily a comprehensive list of sinful actions that we have committed.  We are not sinful because we have violated all of the actions mentioned.  It only takes one sinful action to defile our lives.  Pride is one of the easiest in which to be complicit, because we can readily think we are better than someone else.  Once we are defiled, there is no way to become undefiled in our own strength or abilities.  Only Jesus can cleanse our hearts.  He is the best heart doctor of all times.

Father, forgive us for belittling our sins as “not that bad”.  Let us walk in humility knowing that Only you can forgive us.  Help us control what comes out of our mouths so that it only benefits others.  Let our lips be used for life and not death, judgment or cursing.  Let us not make excuses for wrong behavior, but become broken and contrite before you.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

 ²⁰ And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²² coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander,  pride, foolishness.  ²³ All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Each of us have an unconscious litmus test of a person that is really good and one that is really bad.  We may even have an imaginary scale of 1-10 in our minds.  We place ourselves somewhere on the list with a few people in front of us and a few people…maybe a lot of people that are behind us. 

We have simple measurements that we use.  “I have never done this, so I am better in this area.  I have done this wrong thing, but it is not as bad as the person who had done that wrong thing.”  All of this thinking is to position us higher on the scale so that compared to others we are doing okay.

I saw a childrens’ illustration once that is apropos for this issue.  A mixing bowl was placed on a table.  A brand new box of brownies was opened and the contents placed in the mixing bowl.  The egg, water, and oil were then added.  A spatula was used to stir the mixture to get the ingredients to the right consistency.  Then a special ingredient was added to the mixture.  It was just a table spoon of fresh dog poop.  The speaker continued to mix the ingredients and talk about sharing his brownies with everyone once they were finished baking.  He even asked if one or the kids wanted to lick the spoon….yuck.  That little bit of poop that was added destroyed the whole dessert.

Jesus shared a long list, but not necessarily a comprehensive list of sinful actions that we have committed.  We are not sinful because we have violated all of the actions mentioned.  It only takes one sinful action to defile our lives.  Pride is one of the easiest in which to be complicit, because we can readily think we are better than someone else.  Once we are defiled, there is no way to become undefiled in our own strength or abilities.  Only Jesus can cleanse our hearts.  He is the best heart doctor of all times.

Father, forgive us for belittling our sins as “not that bad”.  Let us walk in humility knowing that Only you can forgive us.  Help us control what comes out of our mouths so that it only benefits others.  Let our lips be used for life and not death, judgment or cursing.  Let us not make excuses for wrong behavior, but become broken and contrite before you.  In Jesus Name, Amen.