Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
What does it mean to be pure in heart? Can a man achieve purity on this side of Heaven? The Greek word for “pure” in Matthew 5:8 is katharos. It means to be “clean, blameless, unstained from guilt. The word can refer specifically to that which is purified by fire or by pruning. I believe this passage refers to having a singleness of heart toward God. Not that you are perfected in Christ, but you have a passion for what God has a passion for. Your spirits are aligned.
“The proof of spiritual maturity is not how pure you are but awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to grace.” – Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?
James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you”
Dystopian Purity
We live in a dystopia where worldly desire rules everything we see and touch. Society’s pull is constant and powerful. It is easy for us to accept that there is no life outside our worldly environment. We must conform to exist. To some extent, that is true. There are parts of the world we live in that we must conform to. But Christ showed us that we can exist in the world and still be holy.
Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him”
The aim of Jesus Christ is not to reform society but to change the hearts of sinners like you and me. Purity isn’t only about avoiding sin; it encompasses everything from maintaining purity in thoughts, motives, and emotions. Paul struggled greatly with this. He met Christ. He knew the importance of salvation and obedience, yet he struggled.
Romans 7:19: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
Being Pure
Being pure in heart is not a destination. It is a process. It involves constantly being vigilant about the temptations around us. Technology has made temptation more accessible than ever. Social media, entertainment, and the internet constantly expose us to content that can erode purity. Being pure in heart can feel lonely or countercultural, especially when friends, colleagues, or even family members have different definitions of purity of heart.
“O Lord, keep our hearts, keep our eyes, keep our feet, and keep our tongues.” – William Tiptaft.
The human heart wrestles with pride, selfish desires, and weaknesses that can make it hard to consistently choose righteousness. What steps can we take to give ourselves a chance at heartfelt purity?
Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
- Stay Rooted in Faith: Regular prayer, scripture reading, and spiritual disciplines help guard the heart and mind.
- Guard Your Inputs: Be intentional about what you watch, read, and listen to, filtering out negative influences.
- Turn from Temptation: The best way to rid yourself of a bad habit is to replace it with a good habit. Every time temptation raises its ugly head, turn to a positive habit like reciting a scripture, starting to talk with God, or writing down your concerns. Occupy your mind with something useful.
- Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who encourage you to live righteously.
- Embrace Grace: Perfection is impossible, but God’s grace provides strength and restoration when we fall short. Embracing grace is the foundation of faith.
Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”