6.2 Clean Hands or Clean Heart?
What Really Matters?

Read Mark 7:14–19. What did Jesus mean by the riddle in Mark 7:15?

In Mark 7:14–19, Jesus explains an important principle that reveals deeper insights into the true meaning of purity. His statement that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them, but rather what comes out of them, emphasizes that true purity is a matter of the heart and inner attitude, not just the external observance of rituals or rules.

Here, Jesus does not question the Old Testament dietary laws but directs his criticism toward the Pharisaic traditions that understood purity as something purely external. He makes it clear that real defilement arises from evil thoughts, words, and deeds—things that come from within the heart. In this context, he does not abolish the distinction between clean and unclean foods but stresses that true purity comes from within.

For us, this means that it is not just about what we do or do not do externally, but rather that our hearts are in alignment with God’s will. Clean hands, meaning the outward observance of rules, are not sufficient if our hearts are not pure. Jesus calls us to examine our inner selves and ensure that our thoughts, motives, and actions are shaped by genuine love and obedience to God.

Read Mark 7:20–23. According to Jesus, what makes a person unclean?

In Mark 7:20–23, Jesus emphasizes that true uncleanness does not come from external things like food or ritual purity, but from within a person, from the heart. He makes it clear that evil comes from the heart and manifests in evil thoughts and actions. The list of vices Jesus enumerates includes sinful behaviors that corrupt a person’s heart and character.

Jesus shows that the true source of impurity does not lie in external influences but in the inner corruption of the heart. These internal sins, such as evil thoughts, murder, adultery, greed, and deceit, to name a few, are what truly defile a person and separate them from God.

Through this teaching, Jesus defends God’s law by highlighting the importance of commandments that pertain to both outward behavior and inner attitudes. He urges us not only to focus on the external aspects of our lives but to purify our hearts and keep them free from evil thoughts and motives so that we can live in accordance with God’s commandments. True purity begins in the heart and is reflected in a life that aligns with God’s will.

The connection between Jesus’ teachings in Mark 7:14–23 and our daily lives and faith is profound and practical. They challenge us to focus our daily lives, decisions, and faith on what truly matters: the purity of the heart.

1. Authenticity in the life of faith: Jesus makes it clear that true purity and piety are not achieved through external actions or rituals alone but through what is happening in our hearts. In our daily lives, this means that our faith should not only be a matter of outward appearances—such as attending church services, following rules, or saying the right words. Rather, we should strive to ensure that our inner attitudes, thoughts, and motives align with God’s will. This means regularly questioning ourselves: Are we truly living according to God’s commandments, or are we merely adhering to external forms?

2. Focus on inner purity: In a world that often focuses on outward appearances and material success, Jesus’ teaching reminds us that the true meaning of purity and holiness lies within. This challenges us to examine our thoughts and motives to see if they are guided by love, compassion, and justice. It means that in our daily lives, we should not only care about the “how” but also about the “why”—why we act the way we do, and whether it comes from a pure, God-honoring heart.

3. Overcoming internal sins: The list of internal sins Jesus mentions—evil thoughts, greed, deceit, envy, pride, and more—shows that the greatest dangers to our spiritual purity do not come from outside but from within ourselves. In our daily lives, we are called not only to guard against external temptations but also to confront the inner struggles that can defile our hearts. This means consciously working to recognize and overcome negative thoughts and destructive behavior patterns so that we can live in accordance with God’s commandments.

4. Priority on heart transformation: Jesus calls us to prioritize the transformation of our hearts. In practical everyday life, this means focusing less on how we appear outwardly and more on how we grow inwardly. This can be done through daily reflection, prayer, and seeking God’s guidance to ensure that our hearts remain in a state that honors God and shows love and compassion to others.

Conclusion: These teachings of Jesus challenge us not to be merely outwardly religious but to truly give our hearts to God. True purity and a God-pleasing life begin within, and it is our responsibility to ensure that our hearts, thoughts, and actions are guided by God’s Spirit. In everyday life, we should always ask ourselves: What really matters—the outward appearance or the inner truth? Only with a pure heart can we truly live in accordance with God’s will.

What truly matters is not the outward appearance but the purity of the heart that seeks to align with God’s will.

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