Mark 7:20-23
Our
culture has engaged in redefinition of some basic terms. It is a way for a few
to gain control over the many. We see it in the battle for marriage. We see it
when speaking of privacy. We see it in education with Common Core. We see it in
the battle over gun rights, sexual boundaries, and drug use. Whoever wins the
battle in defining the words of the debate, they win the debate. The definitions
don’t have to be true, they don’t have to correspond to reality, they just need
to be accepted.
Jesus
is in a battle to define sin. The religious leaders of His day had some very
strange ideas about sin. They focused on the outward. Jesus focused on the
inward. The religious leaders taught that if you acted correctly you were on
God’s ‘nice’ list. Jesus taught that when your heart is right with God it will
lead to right actions.
Our
text has a list of actions that start in the deepest part of our being. They
are not surface things like ceremonial hand washing, food options or wardrobe
choices. These are deep issues that ruin lives and societies. They don’t change
over time and in different cultures. Some things are just wrong no matter where
or when.
I
dislike the pants that hang low and show the underwear. But someone can have
that wardrobe style and still be obedient to Jesus. Other than being funny
looking, all the important parts are covered up.
And
these same issues are evident in our culture. Sexual immorality is rampant. But
our society redefined the boundaries of with whom and when sexual activity could
take place, so that there are almost no boundaries. Children are still
generally off limits, although there are those who want to eliminate that
boundary. Marriage isn’t necessary, according to our culture. Monogamy isn’t
necessary, too restricting. Commitment, too old fashioned. Safety, we have
drugs for most of that.
Theft
is redefined. We now call it redistribution of wealth or corporate welfare. So
instead of an individual taking what doesn’t belong to them, we give the
government the right to do it on our behalf, unless of course it is our wealth
that is getting taken. Murder becomes mercy killing. Adultery becomes swinging.
Greed becomes ambition. Malice becomes misunderstanding. Deceit becomes clever
advertising. Lewdness becomes freedom of expression. Envy becomes capitalism.
Slander becomes truth-telling. Arrogance becomes power. Folly becomes eccentricity.
Jesus
said all these things are evil because they come from the heart, our innermost
being. They are all about the self being in charge, the self defining what is
right and wrong. But God has already spoken on these subjects, and His word is
the final word. No matter how you try to redefine these actions, they are still
evil. And they all start deep in our hearts.
We
are all capable of these things. So we must guard our hearts against their
germination and growth.