It is clear that some food in North Germany has caused a large number of people to get very sick, and some to die. The outbreak is very localised, and so far the source has not been unidentified. However, many in the wider population are fearful of being poisoned by eating the wrong food. Sales of salad vegetables in Germany have slumped, and the knock on effect will be felt all through Europe.
Understandably, while we need to eat to live, none of us wants to be poisoned by what we do eat.
A similar dilemma faces all of us in our spiritual lives. In Jesus' day, there were many laws and regulations that serious religious people were expected to observe about food hygiene and hand washing. The assumption was that 'uncleaness' was something by which we could be polluted. It seems obvious that what we take into our lives has a startling effect on our spiritual attitudes. But Jesus challenges that view.
“It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
(Mark 7.20-23)
But St. Paul reminds us that we do have a responsibility to take care of what we think about, and in what direction we allow our thought life to travel. 'But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.' (Colossians 3.8-10)
On every side, today, we will be faced by deadly temptations, that could poison our thoughts and bring shame to our profession as followers of Christ. Internet pornography and office gossip, lust and lies, could seep into our thinking, if we let it.
May we take sensible avoiding action today, to feed wisely and well on the living Christ.
Best wishes,
Richard
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