From the Heart

Date: January 13, 2026

Scripture Reading: Mark 7:20

“What comes out of a person is what defiles them.”

Jesus shifts the focus from outward behavior to inward condition. In this moment, He challenges the assumption that righteousness is measured primarily by external actions. Instead, He points to the heart as the true source of what shapes a person’s life. Words, choices, and habits do not appear randomly; they flow from what is already within.

This teaching calls for honest self-examination. It is easier to manage appearances than to address the heart, but Jesus makes it clear that lasting transformation does not begin with rules alone. A changed heart produces changed behavior. When the heart remains untouched, external adjustments only go so far.

Jesus’ words also offer hope. If the heart is the source, then the heart is also the place where God works most deeply. God is not interested in surface-level improvement. He desires renewal from the inside out. When we allow Him to shape our hearts, what flows from our lives begins to reflect His character more clearly.

As we move through this season, this verse invites us to slow down and reflect. What has been shaping your heart lately? What influences, thoughts, or desires are being allowed to take root? Transformation begins when we bring these things honestly before God and invite Him to do His refining work.

Main Takeaways

• True transformation begins in the heart, not just behavior.
• What flows from our lives reveals what is shaping us internally.
• God desires inward renewal that leads to outward change.

Cross-Referencing Scriptures

• Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart…”
• Luke 6:45: “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
• Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart…”

Invite God to search your heart today. Ask Him to refine what is within, trusting that as He renews your heart, your life will increasingly reflect His truth, grace, and love.