The Real Problem
1 Kings 18:1-40; Mark 7:14-23 / Psalm 49:1-20
I. First Locate the Problem
A. Life’s problems come either from Providence in which case they are actually opportunities or they originate in the human heart and express sin. “And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.” (Mark 7:14-15)
1. The failure to trace sin to its source leaves a person or a culture limping between incompatible visions of realty, morally stalled. “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” (1 Kings 18:21)
B. The crisis of the times is not skin deep, economic, political, or environmental; it is the corruption of one’s own heart. “For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.” (Matthew 26:11) “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 7:16)
II. Perhaps My Case Is the Exception
A. On the surface Jesus seems to be wrong; why does Jesus dismiss the possibility that in my case someone else is at fault? “And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.” (Mark 7:17)
B. Nothing will improve until people learn to distinguish between problem and opportunity. “And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?” (Mark 7:18-19)
C. There are no exceptions; God keeps teaching the same lessons to those He loves until they learn. “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” (Isaiah 28:9-10)
D. Jeremiah succinctly explained why self-justification inevitably fails. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
III. Take Responsibility
A. Jesus traced sin to the human heart. “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.” (Mark 7:20)
1. If the mind is the problem, the path to holiness must begin with the mind. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
2. The struggles and opportunities of life will unfold to God’s glory when the heart is right with God; without that focus everything will go wrong. “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” (Titus 1:15)
B. All the forms of evil behavior begin in the mind as it processes life. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,” (Mark 7:21) “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26)
C. God encourages believers to entrust their hearts to Him. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
