All these evils come from inside and defile a person. (Mark 7:23)
My husband and I like to watch crime dramas on television. We love to follow the investigative trail and try to solve the crimes before the arrests are made. Forensic science helps investigators to allow the evidence to speak. Dusting for fingerprints, gathering DNA, spraying luminol and using other forensic tools help detectives compile evidence that points to the person responsible for the crime. I love it when I get it right.
In our text today, Jesus says the forensic evidence reveals the condition of our hearts. Listen to the list again: evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly (see Mark 7:21–22). People do their best to conceal the evidence, but the heart always tells on itself. The Pharisees were telling on themselves.
The apostle Paul wrote about a different kind of evidence we can leave: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Gal. 5:22–23). In other words, a spiritual stethoscope would reveal a pure heart.
The contrast couldn’t be more amazing. Equally amazing is that we can choose what the evidence of our life says. Guided by the teachings of Scripture and the Holy Spirit, the evidence will speak of a heart shaped after the life of Jesus.
Choose to leave a trail of evidence that leads to Jesus.
Cheryl McHenry has been a Wesleyan minister’s wife for over twenty years in South Dakota and Wyoming. She currently resides in Indiana and enjoys walking with her husband.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
