Scripture
“Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean.”

Observation
The Pharisees and teachers of the Law question Jesus about the actions of his disciples in not washing their hands according to tradition.

Jesus says that their hearts are far from God's because they have let go of his commands for the rules and traditions of men.

The things that make a person unclean are the things that come from unclean hearts rather than the things that go into a person's stomach.

Application
Religion can never substitute for a changed heart. Religion can regulate the outward appearance but only God can change our motivations.

We must never fall into the trap of thinking that our outward actions in themselves earn any favour or disapproval from God. We look at the outward appearances but God looks at the heart.

Prayer
Holy Spirit come and reveal to me the true state of my heart. Purify me and remove all sin from me. Amen.