S – For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, ²² adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a person.” 

Mark 7:21–23 CSB

O – Commentary:

The catalog of evil Jesus gave has a strong Old Testament flavor and consists of 12 items. First, there are six plural nouns (in Gr.) depicting wicked acts viewed individually: sexual immorality (porneiai, “illicit sexual activities of various kinds”); theft (klopai); murder (phonoi); adultery (moicheiai, illicit sexual relations by a married person); greed (pleonexiai, “covetings”), insatiable cravings for what belongs to another; malice (ponēriai, “wickednesses”), the many ways evil thoughts express themselves.

Second, there are six singular nouns depicting evil dispositions: deceit (dolos), cunning maneuvers designed to ensnare someone for one’s personal advantage; lewdness (aselgeia; cf. Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 2 Peter 2:2, 7), unrestrained and unconcealed immoral behavior; envy (opthalmos ponēros, lit., “an evil eye,” a Heb. expression for stinginess; cf. Prov. 23:6), a begrudging, jealous attitude toward the possessions of others; slander (blasphēmia), injurious or defaming speech against God or man; arrogance (hyperēphania, used only here in the NT), boastfully exalting oneself above others who are viewed with scornful contempt; and folly (aphrosynē), moral and spiritual insensitivity.

All these evils defile a person, and have their source from inside, from one’s heart. So Jesus took the focus of attention away from external rituals and placed it on the need for God to cleanse one’s evil heart (cf. Ps. 51

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Two concepts – Evil thoughts that express themselves in words and actions. Secondly, a person’s disposition – a person’s inherent qualities of mind and character.  If we don’t actively move our alignment in our thoughts and disposition with God, our default is sinful and self-seeking.

R – Heavenly Father, I surrender and worship You today.  You are unlimited and worthy of praise.  I confess my human nature is sinful.  I choose to align with You and Your Word today so that my words, thoughts, actions and disposition would be one of honor and glorifying You.  Give me the strength and courage to succeed in this today.