From Bishop Jemmott’s book Words of Encouragement: Book One

      The religious leaders believe that a person was defiled because they failed to wash their hands, and since their hands were unclean, anything they ate made them unclean. Jesus informed them that they cannot be defiled by what’s on the outside. “Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.'” Mark 7:14-15 (NIV)

      Then he informs them that defilement comes from what is inside of you, what’s in your heart. “He went on: ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come-sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.'” Mark 7:20-23 (NIV)

      Remember, it’s not what’s on the outside or what a person looks like, but it’s what comes out of a person that tells you who that person is. What’s inside of your heart?

Be Blessed,

Bishop Jemmott