Devotion for Thursday, November 28, 2024

“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements.  These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person” (Matthew 15:18-20).

What people see on the outside does not reveal what is on the inside.  Jesus, who knows our heart, knows the corrupt thoughts we have. He has come to kill the old Adam and raise us to new lives where what we say and who we are can be the same thing.  The Lord will remove the evil in us so that we can love our neighbor – all of them – equally and wholly.  He has come to make us holy even as He is holy.

Lord, there are many thoughts that cross my mind about other people.  Lead me away from the selfish thoughts in my mind so that I live free of the bondage of hatred and self-serving.  Many will look to their ceremonies and services as a means of cleansing the outside and appearance, but You desire for us to be clean from the inside out.  Let me not fall off the path of cleansing upon which You have set me.

Lord Jesus, You know these things and they are true of us all.  Grant humility so that I stop the pretense that goes on every day.  Lead me in the goodness of Your mercy to work on the inner thoughts that only You know about.  Help me clean them up so that I live into a life that is like Yours.  Continuously bring me to the place where I learn to love others as You love me.  Amen.