Lip Service vs. Heart Surrender | Mark 7:14-23

The Daily Devotional by Vince Miller

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Jeff Garwood from Daufuskie Island, SC. Jeff, your partnership with us through Project23 is helping others discover the truth that changes hearts. This study is for you today.

Our text today is Mark 7:14-23:

And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 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, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” — Mark 7:14-23

Jesus makes a powerful point here—but there’s more going on beneath the surface.

This Gospel account was dictated by Peter to Mark. And you can almost hear Peter’s voice behind the detail: “(Thus he declared all foods clean).” Why does that matter?

Because years later, Peter would receive a vision in Acts 10—when God dropped a sheet from heaven filled with animals considered unclean. And God said, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” That moment cracked Peter’s heart open to the inclusion of Gentiles in the Gospel.

But even then, Peter would struggle. In Galatians 2, Paul rebukes him for pulling away from Gentile believers. So when Peter recounts this scene in Mark 7, it’s personal. Jesus didn’t just change the rules—he changed Peter’s heart. Jesus redefined purity as something internal, not external.

And Jesus says the real issue isn’t what goes into your mouth—it’s what comes out of your heart. Sin doesn’t enter through your fork—it flows from within. That list Jesus gives? It’s a mirror. Pride. Envy. Deceit. Lust. It’s not out there—it’s in here.

This isn’t just convicting. It’s freeing.

Because you can’t clean yourself with religion, rituals, or rules. You need a new heart. A Jesus-transformed heart. One that lives from the inside out.

We all tend to clean the outside while ignoring the inside. We act polite but harbor bitterness. We appear holy, but we think impure thoughts. We perform well but never confess pride.

Start paying attention to your heart. Don’t just look at your actions—listen to your motives. Is your obedience flowing from love or from fear of being seen? Are you generous because you care—or because you want credit? Ask Jesus to do the heart surgery only he can do.

Today, stop settling for behavior modification. Start praying for heart transformation.

#InsideOutFaith, #HeartOverHabits, #PeterUnderstood

ASK THIS:

1. Where am I focused more on appearances than true heart change?
2. What sin on Jesus’ list hits closest to home right now?
3. How have I tried to use tradition or morality to cover brokenness?
4. Where do I need to invite Jesus to cleanse me from the inside?

DO THIS:

Spend five minutes today asking Jesus not just to clean your life—but to cleanse your heart.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I confess my sin isn’t out there—it’s in me. Cleanse my heart. I want to live from the inside out.

PLAY THIS:

“Clean” – Natalie Grant.