It Starts Small

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

Our hearts are the sum all of all human conditions. The human ability to do good or evil starts in our hearts. When we think of purity our minds are drawn to abstinence, sobriety or a clean sinless life. While these are good attributes, these are external factors. Jesus is talking about our heart. Jesus doesn’t talk about our external lives, because he knows that change in the external has to come from a change in our hearts.

⁷ But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:1

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we make a commitment to follow Him and he begins to transform our hearts. A true love for our Savior translates into a hunger to know him and thirst to live like him. This translates into a pure heart: to love God above all else.

There’s a wonderful promise in this verse, when we desire God above all else, God is revealed to us. God doesn’t fall for the act we put on for others because he knows our heart and our desires. That is what he is truly interested in. We will continually fail, but God is merciful and forgives. If our hearts truly desire him, and his will for our lives, he will bless us by showing himself to us through Christ.

Inner Being

Our Inner being is the root of who we are. From our heart comes our motive, our desires, and our goals. Our heart reveals our external actions and verbal communication. If our heart is not right, those will not be right.

²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: Mark 7:21-22

Jesus doesn’t paint a very pretty picture of humanity and warns us that evil does not come from the mind, as the world tries to make us believe. Psychology is a wonderful tool to use to unlock the heart’s sickness, but it’s not the mind that is sick. A sick mind is the corruption from the heart.

God’s Word teaches that a person that control his tongue can control his whole personality.

²³ Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23

Be Cleansed

How do we get a pure heart and keep it? A pure heart means a cleansed heart. One that is free of defect or impurities. It is a heart that is repentant.

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

A true confession leads to redemption and righteousness. It is difficult to walk closely with God when we are filled with guilt and shame. It’s impossible to see or hear God when we have unconfessed sin in our hearts. The longer that sin goes unconfessed, the further we get off the path of righteousness.

It’s not enough to just confess, we need to ask God to cleanse us.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

We need to retrain our minds to focus on and think about things that are pure.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

One with God

A pure heart is being at one with God. Having a pure heart blesses everything you touch. You become a genuine and authentic person who has no ulterior motives or hidden intentions. You do your best to not harm anyone or do the wrong things. Happiness is being at peace within yourself and God. You don’t have to hide who you are in Him. You have nothing hidden that blocks the path between you and Him. A pure heart brings unity between you and God. When your feelings, your mind and will all want to serve and love God you are in unity with him.

⁸ Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ¹⁰ If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:8-11