Spiritual Detox

“Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:18-23)

We should watch what we eat. An unbalanced diet will contribute to health problems in the long run. Hence, if we want to be healthy we need to take care of our body.

However, if watching what we eat is important, how important is it then to watch what we say?

If what we eat may damage our body, what we say may damage our spiritual life.

The Pharisees criticised Jesus for letting His disciples eat without washing their hands. Jesus, however, pointed out their hypocrisy. As good religious people they watched the rituals – no Jew could eat without washing his hands – but allowed themselves to say many things that were far more damaging than what and how they ate.

When they badmouthed Jesus, weren’t they committing a greater sin?

Many people without discernment spend much of their time gossiping, criticising others – as if they didn’t have enough already to worry about themselves. They criticise their fellow Christians for watching a movie, listening to music or for dressing in a certain manner. What they don’t realise is that by doing that, they end up failing even harder.

I’m not saying that every movie, music or clothes are appropriate, but who are we to judge? Everyone should be their own judge. Let’s not waste our time with that.

Let’s not even talk about the things people say or think in secrecy, when they are alone. How many people take the ‘holier than thou’ approach when they are in front of others, but if what they think or do by themselves was brought to the light…

Don’t forget that “evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness” come from the heart. Those who rebuke the impulses of the flesh will control their mouth. For the mouth speaks about what the heart is full of.

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” (James 3:1-12)

God bless you!
Pr Victor Silva
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