February SOED Campaign
Over the next ten days let's purpose in our hearts not to defile our bodies as Daniel did (Daniel 1:8-13). Unlike Daniel who knew that it was food intake that would defile him according to the Law, we have to come to know that what defiles us is what comes from within, from out of our heart according to our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 7:14-23).
As we continue to seek to be marked by the SPIRIT-OF-EXCELLENCE we will continue to develop “the qualities” that bring about the SPIRIT-OF-EXCELLENCE and we will continue to make up in our minds to be willing to do what we see in the word as the Spirit leads. So for ten days (14th-23rd) we will look at those things in the scriptures that defile a person and make a firm determination not to do those 13 things but the opposite by following after the Spirit.
As always, spend time in the scriptures. Read them, study them, meditate/think on/about them, and ask the Lord to give you a complete understanding of them that you can apply them to your individual life. Also, be aware of the things that you watch and listen to that could have a defiling effect on your heart that could cause the 13 things that Jesus spoke about during this time of purification.
For Daniel, he was convinced that if he didn’t defile himself with the king's foods and delicacies he would “look better” than those who were willing to eat what was given. For us, it is about appearances too. We believe that if we for the next ten days would purpose in our heart not to defile ourselves with the things that defile us, we would be seen and recognized as people who have the SPIRIT-OF-EXCELLENCE in us.
Mark 7:21-23 (ESV)...
21 For from within, out of the heart of man,...
Evil thoughts: inappropriate, harmful, or bad careful deliberations and machinations (plots or schemes; plots, intrigues, conspiracies, tricks, wiles, tactics, maneuverings)
Sexual immorality: the “selling off” of sexual purity and involves any type of sexual expression outside the boundaries of a biblically defined marriage relationship
Theft: the action or crime of stealing; robbing
Murder: the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another. *anger/contempt/insulting (Matt. 5:21-22)
Adultery: sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse. *lust (Matt. 5:27-28)
Coveting: yearn to possess or have something; desire, be consumed with the desire for
Wickedness: the quality of being evil or morally wrong
Deceit: the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth
Sensuality: relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite : FLESHLY: devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites: deficient in moral, spiritual, or intellectual interests: WORLDLY
especially: IRRELIGIOUS
Envy: a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.
Slander: the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
Pride: a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
Foolishness: lack of good sense or judgment; stupidity.
23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.
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