Living in the Spirit
September 2, 2018
Scripture Reading: Mark 7:1-8; 14-15, 21-23
Then he called the crowd again and said to them, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.’. .For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.’ –Mark 7:14-15, 21-23
Doing good or doing evil are choices we make. Evil exists whether separate from human behavior or not, I do not know. It does not matter because evil cannot control us unless we let it. Mark describes a laundry list of behaviors that fit the definition of evil. There are more. Habitually doing evil begets more evil as does habitually doing good begets more good.
We also must deal with the consequences of all our actions, good and evil. Most of the laundry lists of behaviors above involve other people. Do we choose to spread evil or good? Are we the instigators or the followers? Why do would we choose to share evil?
Christ calls us to love one another, to want the very best for the other, to share God’s gift of love with one another. Habitually, intentionally loving one another begets more love and love grows exponentially as it threads throughout all peoples everywhere. Jesus calls us to do good, share love and grow a kingdom ruled by love.
Prayer: Lord, give us the strength to resists evil, do good, and love like you. Amen