In Matthew 15:10-20 the Lord tells us that there is a correlation between the food we eat and the condition of our physical bodies. Let us focus on verses 17-20 where He makes it clear that what enters the stomach does not spiritually defile the man, but what is formed in the heart (mind) does defile him. He also noted that what a man harbors in his mind is eventually revealed by his words and actions. The mind is the incubator from which comes all that we say and do. What we think, do and say constitute what and who we are. In truth, WE BECOME WHAT WE CONTINUE TO THINK ABOUT.

Verse 19 states that it is in the heart/mind of man that such sins as murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness and blasphemy are formed. As Jesus made clear, retaining and entertaining thoughts of sin in the mind causes those thoughts to become actual sins, even if they are never performed physically. The key to preventing sin from taking place is to reject such thoughts before they become connected to “lust”–a desire to act out sin thoughts.  If we fail to reject the sin thought it quickly joins up with lust like an egg joining a sperm. As James 1:15 tells us, it is at this point that “conception” takes place and we sin in our heart. If the sin is then committed in the flesh one becomes guilty of a double sin–thinking and doing. In summary, sin begins in the mind, not the stomach. When a sin thought entertains the mind it will quickly evolve into actual sin if not rejected before “conception”–the union of thought and lust–can take place. It is for this reason that Jesus commanded us to resist the devil when he places sinful thoughts in our minds, which he can and will do. If we honestly and faithfully resist him he will flee from us. That is a promise from God. If we do not resist him he will not only not flee from us, he will rule us. That is also a promise from God–Judas Iscariot, Simon Magus, Ananias and Sapphira being prime examples. As previously stated, what takes place in the mind/heart can and often does affect the body in the form of disease, etc.

The merciful God not only instructs us in disease prevention, He also tells us how to handle any physical, mental or emotional problem from which we might be suffering. If, because of sin, we find ourselves in a negative physical, mental or emotional condition, He has provided us with a contingency plan. While we are paying the price for our sin, which takes place without fail, we can begin our exit from that condition by repenting of that sin and obeying His Word. In the final posting we will learn exactly how to rid ourselves of physical, mental and emotional problems and live free of them in the future. L.J.