Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
I was born on February 14. The one day a year that is associated with hearts and love. I remember my mom teaching me how to draw a heart as we sat in church. Almost every birthday card I have ever received had a heart on it. And I have to admit, I am drawn to almost anything that is heart shaped or has hearts on it. So, in some ways it seems quite appropriate that of all the beatitudes I am most drawn to this particular one. And in an odd sort of way, I think I should be good at this one. Just as the paper hearts are not a picture of an actual physical heart. Being born on Valentine’s Day does not mean I automatically have a pure heart. In fact, it doesn’t even indicate a full understanding of what a pure heart looks like.
So, let’s break it down. What is the definition of pure? Something that is pure is not mixed with unnecessary things. Pure means something is free from contamination. The Greek word used for pure in this verse is katharos, which means clean, blameless, unstained from guilt. This word can refer specifically to something that is purified by fire or pruning. John the Baptist referred to Jesus as one who baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11
In John, Jesus refers to Himself as the vine and we are the branches.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1,2
Often the heart is associated with emotions. And our mind is associated with intellect. This idea caused me to pause. We all know that our emotions, our feelings can be temporary, fleeting, fickle. So if that is true, how can we be pure in heart? The Hebrew people see the heart differently. The heart is everything. It is your personality, you emotions, your mind, your thoughts, your very being. This understanding of the heart gives a clearer understanding of the concept “pure in heart.”
When we put all of that together, “pure in heart” is living a life focused on Jesus. A life that is constantly being refined and pruned. And as a result, a life that will produce fruit. So, how do we maintain a pure heart?
A good man brings good things our of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45
In order to have a pure heart, a good heart, a heart full of Jesus we have to put good into the heart. We have to allow Jesus to fill us completely. We have to allow Jesus to prune away the unhealthy parts of our thinking, our behavior, our words. We should be cautious about what we take into our minds, our thoughts. What we put in, will fill the heart. And what is in the heart will flow out in our words and our actions.
One of my favorite television series is NCIS. Now on the surface, it doesn’t seem so bad. I mean, they always catch the bad guy. But, if all I overload my mind with NCIS reruns and do not open the Word, or spend time in prayer, what happens? Leroy Jethro Gibbs becomes my hero instead of Jesus, the one who died for me. Think about it, how much of the show is actually focused on the good? The last two minutes? All of the rest of the time my mind is absorbing violence, anger, sadness. Before anyone starts, I am not saying, “Televisions are evil, get rid of them.” What I am saying is, “Don’t let anything become more important in your life than your relationship with the LORD.” Anything that consumes your time and monopolizes your thoughts, this is what will fill your heart. In order to be pure in heart, we have to put the things of God in our heart.
So where does one start? Start with a prayer.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a will spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12
Spend time in the Word of God. Seek God in your prayers. Speak to Him throughout your day. What goes in…will come out.
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.
