Scripture for Today: Mark 7:15 “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”

I feel very silly sometimes to find myself unloading dirty dishes into the cupboards!  My problem is that I rinse too well before loading them into the dishwasher.  The confusion can be avoided with a simple system of magnets on the dishwasher.  These pictured were handmade using mint tins and adhesive labels.

We use labels as well when determining whether people are clean or dirty.  Imagine wearing labels like these to declare to others the state of our hearts!  In our verse for today Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees about what is clean and what is dirty.  The disciples were not following the accepted standards of religious tradition.  Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites for placing outside cleanliness over and above cleanliness on the inside.

It is what comes out of a person that reveals the true state of the heart.  We can work hard on the outward show of religiosity but sooner or later, our words and actions reveal what is on the inside.  No matter what rules we follow, it is only Christ that can truly make us clean.  Despite the correct moral upbringing, environmental and financial advantages, and advances in technology, evil continues to exist in the heart.

It is much less threatening to address social ills by fixing everything on the outside rather than the internal change that is needed.  The Lord is in the business of true and lasting change.  Cleansing me from the inside out is something only He can do.

Lord, keep me from being so distracted by the outside!  Change my heart with Your cleansing.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:7 “Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and shun evil.”

I can still remember when both of our daughters had their wisdom teeth taken out during their high school years.  Their cheeks looked very much like those on this chipmunk!  To add insult to injury, they both received academic honors in a public ceremony while looking like this!

I am not so sure why those late-arriving third molars are labeled as wisdom teeth.  They wreaked havoc in my mouth, threatening to destroy years of teeth-straightening braces.  Wisdom teeth have the knack of coming in sideways, pushing and crowding neighboring teeth, and doing it all partially or completely hidden.  That does not sound so wise to  me!

Our verse for today is one of many that warn us not to consider ourselves wise.  This is a danger as it can lead to the conviction that we know better.  This brand of pride considers rules as being for other people to follow and not applying to us.  Those that see evil as good, dark as light and bitter as sweet are the same people who are “wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” (Isaiah 5:21)

It is easy to think that wisdom comes from our own schooling and mental prowess.  But God’s Word makes clear that the source of wisdom is the Lord.  We demonstrate wisdom when we are humble enough to follow and obey Him in every area of life.  The minute I consider myself wise is the same minute I become foolish (Prov. 26:12).  To become or remain wise is simply the by-product of humble, dependent obedience to my Creator.

Thank you Lord, that right relationship with You makes me wise.  Keep me humble, submissive and close to You today.