The Parables of Jesus

The Parable of the Heart of Man

Mark 7:14-23 ^NLT

 Mark 7:14-16

Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart. [Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.]” *

            This is Mark ‘s version of the Parable of the Wine Skins.  It speaks more of what goes in compared to what comes out of any individual. A person’s heart is their stronghold. The place where truth resides if it resides anywhere at all. The mind is what feeds the heart. The emphasis is not on old and new wine skins, but rather the fact that those things which come out of a man, woman or child originate in the heart. Scripture is clear that only God can know the motives of a man’s heart. Proverbs 16:2 AMP, “All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions], But the LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].”

            Evil actions or reactions start with a single thought. We mustn’t allow our minds to dwell on such things as lust, envy, hatred and/or revenge for these things will lead you into sin. We are to think on that which is true, honorable, right, pure, admirable, and lovely (Philippians 4:8). Just as when we feed our bodies junk food, so our minds and our hearts will be tainted and fouled by what we feed into it.

            On a cultural note, Jesus trekked 30 miles on foot to the city of Tyre, which was at one time a friend of Israel’s, but eras of wickedness had ruined that relationship. Evil had entered the city, where their king had claimed to be God. It was to this evil, materialistic culture that Jesus brought this message. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: Life Application Study Bible, verse notes, p. 2124.

* [  ] - The bracketed portion is found in some manuscripts, yet left out in some others. I added it because it is something Jesus has said before in other places in the Gospels.