“If your goal is purity of heart, be prepared to be thought very odd.” (Elisabeth Elliot)
Purity is defined as the condition of being pure; freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes” (dictionary.com).
What does it mean to have a pure heart?
This is the question I have been pondering for a few days. I am not the only to ask that question as the psalmist also asks the question:
“How can a young man [or woman, I would add] keep his way pure?”
(Psalm 119:9a, NASB)
Purity – there really is only one way to live or have a pure life, and thankfully the psalmist shares his wisdom with us:
“By keeping it according to Your word.” (Psalm 119:9b, NASB)
Purity comes to our lives as we carefully read Scripture, ponder it deeply, let it teach or even train us how to live, and store it up in our hearts for future reference so to speak.
“I hold one single sentence out of God’s Word to be of more certainty and of more power than all the discoveries of all the learned men of all the ages.” (Charles Spurgeon)
We truly need to read our Bibles as a “How To” book … How to live like Jesus. How to pursue God. How to treat our neighbor. etc.We just don’t have it on our own. Apart from His Word activated in our hearts and minds, we will default to our fleshly or human nature.
“With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” (Psalm 119: 10-11, NASB)
The Bible is a book that imparts life, brings wisdom to in order to live life. The more we know Scripture, know the commands and expectations of our God, the more we will be kept from straying. Our hearts will grow and desire Him above all else.
Seek God.
Treasure His Word.
Let Him teach you His ways.
Meditate on His Word.
Delight in His commands.
Never forget His Word,
And He’ll keep your heart pure.
We are all waiting for or on something. The question truly becomes: “How will I wait?” In her post, “How Are You Waiting?”, Amy Jung invited her friend Susan Newkirk to share her thoughts on waiting. They are words sure to stir your heart to cooperate more and more with the Lord’s work in our lives.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by micheile dot com on Unsplash
Today I may be joining …
Joanne, I love the thought of reading the bible as a “how to” book! Spending time in God’s word helps me see myself and others differently and provides the wisdom I need for daily living, as well as the Hope I need in hard times.
Our Bibles do provide a blueprint for living – both spiritually and practically. It really does make all the difference every day. I’m grateful you share your wisdom here each week, Donna!
Each of us living like Jesus in our ordinary days would make for a more compassionate, loving world. Thanks for doing your part, Joanne!
Thank you, Lisa. You encourage me in ways you know not. May we each live like Jesus for all of our days!
Joanne, I think of Jesus’s words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” I think that means we receive eyes to see His hand in everyday affairs as well as see Him in heaven. Great post!
Debbie, I so appreciate your insight into that verse. I so agree. May we always see His hand in everyday situations for in so doing, we can impact our worlds. Blessings!
Joanne, thank you for sharing this and reminder of the importance of reading our Bibles which is our way to a pure heart. I love reading my Bible daily and always receive needed instruction, insight, and direction.
Deborah, it’s true – we always receive instruction, insight, and direction. My word for the year is “Guide” and His Word brings directions each without fail. Blessings!
Reading the Bible and meditating on it is something I can’t do without. It is truth. It tells us about God and ourselves and is also a comfort and a source of wisdom. So important. May we all seek the Lord with all our hearts. He will show us how to live the truth with compassion and love. Blessings to you, Joanne! xo
Amen, Gayl. It is amazing how His Word brings comfort and peace. “He will show us how to live the truth with compassion and love.” We need His Word more than we could every realize. Blessings!
“Our hearts will grow…” Yes, and love does grow. God’s love is limitless. Thanks for this today!
Amen Joanne. God’s word is our life instruction manual. That Elizabeth Elliott quote is so true. I’m okay with being thought of as odd. Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful community of friends.
I’m okay with being thought of as odd as well, Paula 🙂 I’m in wonderful company! I appreciate your presence here each week, friend!
I’m a big believer in being in the Word. How do we even know what purity is without knowing the character of God?
And of course, we have to apply what we read to our lives.
Jerralea, only as we know God through His Word will we ever be able to know what purity is as He develops it in our lives. His Word = our plumb line.
I don’t know if we as Christians think about purity as much as we should these days. The more we read God’s Word, the more He purifies us.
Barbara, I so agree. We truly need to think about it more.
Thank you Joanne, a beautiful post.
Blessings, Jennifer
I love that quote by Elisabeth Elliot, Joanne. There is so much around us that can impact our purity levels, isn’t there? Thank you for pointing us to the one source that is guaranteed to help us grow in holiness.
Joanne,
You’ve got my mind spinning. Scripture is a “how to” on life. I’ve never considered that idea before. With all of the self-help books sitting on shelves in countless libraries, homes, and bookstores, I wonder how much more our world would change if more of us would open His word–the ultimate “how to”?
Blessings,
Tammy