The word defile means to make unclean, unholy, unfit; to desecrate.
In Mark chapter 7, Jesus spoke:
14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand:
15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.
16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Men can modify their behavior and appear respectable and upstanding but when pressure arrives we often will see what is in their heart. Actions speak louder than words. The sad truth is revelation becomes tradition as time passes unless we maintain our vigilance in pursuing greater maturity and solidify our Spiritual walk. The Pharisees were an excellent example of performing the outward acts yet their hearts were cold. Jesus continued:
17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.
18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him,
19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”
20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
FATHER gave us the food laws to protect us from potentially unhealthy food but if we pray over food that may be tainted I am fully persuaded FATHER will bless and nourish it to our bodies. This is why praying over food is so important and should not become a tradition. It should be a time of gratitude and unity.
Each of us knows our own thoughts and what we dwell on. These thoughts are hidden from others but not from FATHER. When defiling thoughts come we should immediately cast down those thoughts and not allow them to take root. We must purpose to not be tempted to be tempted. What does that mean? Wisdom tells us in Proverbs chapter 5:
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my understanding,
2 That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil;
4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of hell.
6 Lest you ponder her path of life—
Her ways are unstable; You do not know them.
7 Therefore hear me now, my children, And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house
If you know a place where you can be tempted, don’t even go near the door to the temptress, let alone knock on the door and enter in. Deal with the “door” or the thought immediately. We must protect our heart from temptation and let no evil thought gain traction in our life. This is where defilement begin. As we take control over our mind, we will then be in command of our life.