18 And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." (Mark 7:18-23)

By the time Mark wrote, the church was no longer exclusively Jewish. The apostles had agreed that non-Jewish Christians should not have to comply with the Old Testament dietary laws, but there was still debate and confusion on this point. So Mark inserted his own commentary into the passage when he said, "Thus he declared all foods clean" (19).

But Jesus' point to the disciples was that nothing from the outside-in could produce uncleanness, because uncleanness is a matter of the heart. The heart of man is what produces all manner of evil and wickedness (21-23). Here, Jesus shows us why human effort cannot produce cleanness.

Human effort cannot produce cleanness because the human heart is corrupt. Jesus said it produces evil thoughts, or evil devising and schemes.

Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV) — 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Now, if this were the end of the story, mankind would be in serious trouble—a world filled with broken hearts. Those hearts then lead us to a massive list of hurtful activities.

And this helps us understand the brokenness in our world. Every nation, people group, political party, and educational system is populated by broken people. Even the best-laid plans and philosophies are tainted by the sinful hearts of humanity.

This is a major difference in the Christian worldview. We know mankind is not basically good, but that evil is bound up within our hearts.

But we also know there is hope. Though we cannot make ourselves clean, Jesus Christ can make us clean by his blood.

Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) — 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace...

You see, the heart of man is sick, but Jesus came to die for our sinful hearts. He came to give us life. Just as he was raised from death, he came to resurrect our hearts to life.

And for those who believe in Jesus, the path forward is clear:

We get newness of life with him (Romans 6:4).
We become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).
We gain a new self we are to live out every day (Colossians 3:10).
And this new self has been made in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 2:24).
God had said he would give his people new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26). In Christ, he has done the work! Believe in him!

We Must Be Born Again and Pursue Sanctification

This remade heart requires a new birth. This is why Jesus said, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Born again. Born anew. Born afresh. Born of the Spirit. Born a second time. Born again.

And this new birth allows you to pursue an altogether different type of human experience. No longer are you bound to abide by a heart sick with sin, but now you can follow the Spirit. He is working on your heart, and as you walk in the Spirit, you are pursuing the dynamic life of the new self. Putting on this new self is also called "sanctification."

What happens to the believer who pursues sanctification? Well, everything Jesus said the sinful heart inevitably produces is reversed.

He said the sinful heart produces sexual immorality (21). It is a broad word that covers premarital, extramarital, and unnatural sexual behavior. Any sexual practice outside marriage between a man and woman is implied by this phrase. But when Jesus changes your heart, he turns sexual immorality into the utmost reverence and respect for his design for a man and woman.
He said the sinful heart produces theft (21). Before Jesus changes our hearts, we are bound to take from another what is not ours. We cut corners. We are lazy at work. We cheat on exams. We refuse to give to God. But when Jesus changes your heart, he turns theft into generosity and diligence, and contentment.
He said the sinful heart produces murder (21). It takes the life of the innocent. It kills the baby in the womb. It mimics Cain by jealously murdering our fellow man, our brother. It destroys others through hatred. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin to build up the life of others, placing them above yourself and your desires.
He said the sinful heart produces adultery (21). Violating the marriage covenant is the breaking of the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14). Every heart is capable of causing such long-term pain in exchange for short-term pleasure. But when Jesus changes your heart, you see marriage as honorable, self-control becomes your experience, and you learn you are blessed to only enjoy the spouse of your youth (Proverbs 5:18).
He said the sinful heart produces coveting (22). This is a desire for more at the expense or exploitation of another. It is a violation of the tenth commandment (Exodus 20:17). But when Jesus changes your heart, you become content with what you have, and you rejoice for those who have more than you.
He said the sinful heart produces wickedness (22). These are schemes and plans that are deliberately evil. These are not accidents. There's no confusion. The intent is evil. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin to plan and plot for good. You begin designing a life that can bless others, scheming for righteousness.
He said the sinful heart produces deceit (22). Our society is drowning in lies. The human heart is prone to deceive. All-day long, even the best intentions are diluted with half-truths and less than the whole story. But when Jesus changes your heart, honesty fills your life, and you no longer need to cunningly deceive to get your way in life.
He said the sinful heart produces sensuality (22). This is a life that casts off all restraint and follows the impulses of addictive behaviors. Mindless consumption of video games. Drunkenness. Binge eating. Whatever feels good. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin to grow sensitive to spiritual things and realize sensual behavior harms your walk with God.
He said the sinful heart produces envy (22). This has to do with the eye. You see something in another you don't like. You hate the good or the position or the success of another. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin to celebrate what God is doing in and for those around you.
He said the sinful heart produces slander (22). Describing slander in our culture is like trying to describe water to a fish. We swim in this stuff. It is all around us. So it's hard for us to see how life could be any different. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin, ever increasingly, to praise others and rejoice in the image of God you see in them.
He said the sinful heart produces pride (22). This is the evil tendency of seeing oneself as better, more able, or greater than someone else. This is a universal trait of the natural human heart. Though often disguised in false modesty, it is arrogance. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin walking with humility. Everything you have, everything you are, is seen as a gift from your benevolent Father in heaven.
He said the sinful heart produces foolishness (22). This is a spiritual insensitivity, so the platitudes, morals, and views of the unconverted heart can not be trusted. They are built on unstable ground. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin pressing into his word and learning the way God sees things. Soon, foolishness is replaced with the wisdom of God.

Back to the Question at Hand

Back to the question at hand. The religionists asked, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?" (6).

Jesus' answer?

Because unwashed hands cannot defile them.
Because the commandments of men cannot cleanse them.
And because it is their hearts which must become clean.
And I will make them clean by dying in their place and rising from the grave. If they believe in me, new hearts will be theirs, and then they will be clean. Truly clean. Actually clean. Really clean. By my blood.

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For the entire Mark series, go here. Thank you.