Copyright © 2011 by Adam Woeger.
This Christian writing may be freely copied and distributed to bless others.
"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:20-23. The Word Of God serves as the antidote and natural protection against sin. We must diligently guard our heart. Our heart will either be pure or corrupt, and it will affect the destiny of our life. We need to keep our heart tender, pure, and soft, and prevent it from becoming hardened and inflexible to God's Ways by sin, and by the cares of the world.
A clean, pure heart is essential to serving God, and to having a right relationship with God. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." Psalm 51:10-13. God delights in a pure and contrite heart, in those who will seek Him. See Psalm 119:1-17. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8. "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13. We need our hearts purified through faith. Acts 15:8-9.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17. We need to actively be washed and purified by God's Word, continually increasing in faith. "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:26-27.
God warns us not to harden our hearts. See Ezekiel 11:19-20. We need to treasure God's Word and remain pliable, so that God may mold us into the image of His Son, so that we may be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2.
Your heart includes your mind, will, and emotions. The enemy wants you to become distrusting, offended, disillusioned, and hurt, so that you will harden your heart to God and to others. Hardness of heart separates us from love and relationships, and makes us bitter and jealous. That is why it is essential to be pure in heart. If we want to be in fellowship with God, and see Him, we must present ourselves properly to come to Him. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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 4:7-8. "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." Psalm 24:3-5. "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him..." 2 Chronicles 16:9. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57:15. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17.
We must be humble and flee sin. For helpful information on how to please God, read the Christian writings.