Having a pure heart means that there is no intention or desire to do evil or ill will toward anybody but a desire to please God. Our heart reveals our true self, and this is the reason God looks at our hearts. Many people blame the government or the leaders for all the crimes and corruptions that are going on today in our society, but the actual problem is not the system but the hearts of humankind. As long as the hearts are not changed, sin will continue to rule, and people will suffer its consequences. When King David committed adultery and murder through his relationship with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), God sent the prophet, Nathan, to rebuke him. David then cried out to God and prayed this, "Create in me a clean (pure) heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10).
King David understood that God was the only one who could forgive his sin and changed his heart. Likewise, only God can change our hearts to have a pure heart. Many people think that they can change their hearts, but they keep on failing. The religious leaders in Jesus' time tried to cover their true selves by their religious activities, but Jesus told them, "these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (Matthew 15:8). The only way for us to have a pure heart is to surrender our lives to God by believing in Him, turning away from our sin, and letting Him change our hearts.
Once we surrender our lives to Jesus, God then will begin a good work in us. Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." The Spirit of God that resides in us is always working in our hearts. He is convicting us of our sin and helping us to do good. Since our hearts are being renewed day by day through God's work in our lives, we will see God in our hearts and eventually see Him in heaven. For Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."
Ask yourself these questions: What does it mean to have a pure heart? How can I have a pure heart? What happens when I have a pure heart?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, please create in me a pure heart. I desire to have a pure heart before you and others. Please continue to change my heart and make me the person you want me to be. Please forgive me for all the sins that I have committed. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.