Create In Me A Pure Heart

One day I was complimenting a lady I know, that was considered a woman leader at church, about how beautiful she looked that day when she jokingly told me, “Watch out for the heart, the heart.” That answer took me back for a few seconds. Then I started to think about what that could mean. Suddenly my mind became flooded with thoughts that prompted me to write this article.

How many of us can be truthful enough to acknowledge that our thoughts and intents of our hearts are often more polluted and dangerous than our appearances and actions? How many of us can agree with the saying that our hearts are desperately wicked? How often have we been offended and shocked ourselves with a thought we just had, and were so happy that at least no one was aware of it? Do we ever take the time to think about the source of the thoughts that are popping up in our minds and the meditation of our hearts regularly? Do we ever take the time to see if they line up with the Word of God that states in Philippians 3:8 that we should be thinking on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—and of anything that is excellent or praiseworthy?

Do we realize that even if we can fool others, we can't fool God. The bible says that God knows the heart of man (Psalm 44:21; Psalm 94:11; Acts 15:8). Jesus as Son of God couldn't entrust himself to people for he knew all men (John 2:24-25). Jesus couldn't trust the people he encountered during his ministry because He knew what was in their heart (Matthew 9:4; Matthew 23:25-28). He also could tell through people's hypocrisy and duplicity. Mark 12:13-17 and Luke 20:23-26 relate a story of the Pharisees and Herodians who wanted to catch him in his words with the matter of paying taxes to Caesar. Luc 5:21-22 relates another incident where Jesus who knew what the Pharisees and teachers of the law were thinking told them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” Luc 11:17-23 told us that his casting out a demon from someone caused some of the people in the crowd to think that he was doing it by the devil power. Jesus knowing their thoughts said to them: “Any Kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.”

Acts 8:18-23 tells the story of Simon the sorcerer who wanted to pay Peter in order to be able to lay hands on people so they can receive the Holy Spirit. We see that Peter told him that he didn't have any part in the ministry of the Lord because his heart wasn't right before God. We can also see when reading Job 1:5 that Job would offer sacrifices for his children daily fearing that they may have cursed God in their hearts.

How important then is this matter of living with a pure heart? Do we live everyday with the thoughts of knowing for sure what God wants us to do, and how he wants us to act and live as a Christian? Are we doing what God has called us to do? Do we live everyday to show ourselves approved in the faith? The bible states in Matthew 5:8 that only the pure in heart will see God.

Now that you understand that the Lord knows everything about you, even your most intimate thoughts before you say them, why don't you start being aware of the motives of your heart and analyze your thoughts before you act. Learn to trust him completely by taking him at his words because He is faithful to forgive us of all unrighteousness when we go to him in humility. He has said in Revelation 21:27 that nothing impure nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful will ever enter the New Jerusalem city.

We can see then how important it is to God that we have a pure heart. Let's learn to remain true to the Lord with all our hearts. He doesn't show favoritism, and accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right (Acts 10:34-35.) Be open and honest with the Lord because God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ (Romans 2:16). Since it is so important to have a pure heart, let's all cry like David, “Lord create in me a pure heart, renew in me a clean spirit”. Also, “May the word of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 51:10; Psalm 19:14).

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus