Jesus teaches that our attempts to hold onto the status quo and keep things just the way they are can cause us to move backwards. He emphasizes that it's not the externals, but the internals, specifically the heart, that God is after. Jesus demonstrates this through three miracles, showing that faith and humility can overcome external defilement and that God's love and forgiveness are available to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. [... more]

God looks at the heart, not the externals, when measuring devotedness. The heart is deceitful and incurably sick, but guarding it is crucial for true success and a life filled with joy, peace, and hope. [... more]

The Bible teaches that spiritual contamination is a problem of the heart, not the external actions or rituals, and that only Jesus Christ can cleanse and change the heart. The Pharisees and scribes in the Bible were accused of hypocrisy and spiritual contamination due to their emphasis on external rituals and traditions over the inward reality of their relationship with God. In contrast, biblical Christianity emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than relying on external rituals or traditions. The Bible warns against adding to the Word of God, whether through tradition, personal revelations, or other means, and emphasizes the importance of relying solely on the authority of Scripture. [... more]