Thus they were defiled by their own works, and played the harlot by their own deeds. (Psalm 106:39)

The Bible teaches us that people are tripart beings — i.e. body, soul and spirit. Though there are distinctions between the three components, each combine as one person. Therefore, whatever is within the innermost man (his spirit) will impact his soul, which in turn, will manifest in his body. Let’s look at it this way: what is in our heart, good or bad, will affect our thinking and how we think will determine what we do. If a person is thinking it would be nice to go fishing, their body isn’t going to take them to the bowling alley. In short, what we see on the outside in terms of action and deeds — i.e. works — is an authentic reflection of what is going on inside the person.

The psalmist acknowledges that the people of God, by allowing themselves to be ensnared by the customs practiced by the Canaanites — going so far as to sacrifice their sons and daughters to idols (Psalm 106:37-38) — had completely defiled themselves. They were thoroughly unclean, from the inside out, to the degree that the land was polluted by their vile actions. Their corrupted lifestyles would be akin to a poisonous plant that continually produces rotten fruit, consequently, propagating the poison throughout the land. In time, the land became so corrupted that it vomited them out (Leviticus 18:25).

We should not think that our actions, good or bad, have no bearing on others. What we do and how we behave, not only affects our lives, but the lives of those we come in contact with. Not only that, our works and deeds will have some degree of impact on the world in which we live. Knowing this, we should make certain that our hearts are devoted entirely to our Maker, and if He reigns in our hearts, then His Word will renew our minds. In turn, having the mind of Messiah enlightens and enables us to perform good works — i.e. produce good fruit — that benefits us, our families and those around us. As it is written: “Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12). 

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill