Heart Check
Today’s Verse:
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. ~Matthew 5:8
A comprehensive physical examination of the body will also entail a heart check. This is when an EKG will be done to determine the health condition of the heart. Everyone wants to hear from the doctor that he has a heart that is healthy. This morning, we are looking at a verse that emphasizes the importance of a heart check. The heart speaks of the inner person, the real you. It’s important that we have a spiritually healthy heart. You see, what is in our heart will eventually make its way out.
There is the condition of the heart.
Jeremiah tells us that the heart is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jesus said that "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts." Our heart is corrupt from the moment we are born into this world. Our heart is shaped by the things that we allow into it. Every single person has the propensity towards heart corruption and gross sin. The best of people can fall into sin because of a heart that is evilly influenced. That’s why the psalmist prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Let’s be real and realize that our heart is sinful.
There is the cultivation of the heart.
Knowing that our heart is sinful requires that we establish safeguards and practices to protect it. Solomon said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” We must be careful of what enters our heart through our sight, hearing, and influences. “Evil communications corrupt good manners.” Just like a healthy diet keeps our heart healthy, we must keep our heart through study of the Bible and prayer. We are to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom. We are to avoid all sinful contamination. We must make our high priority the cultivation of a healthy heart.
There is the cleansing of the heart.
Since our heart can become defiled, we must seek the cleansing power of the Lord for it. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Cleansing must be constant. Cleansing must be thorough. Without cleansing, our heart is defiled and impure. Our fellowship with God is impaired, and our spiritual life is in danger of falling apart. Cleansing is a daily must.
There is the compensation of the heart.
Notice that the priority is that we are pure in heart. When we are pure in heart, our thoughts, motives, and relationships are pure. First, there is a genuine happiness. People who keep a clean heart are content. They are filled with peace. They are productive and fruitful. Second, they see God! They enjoy God in His holiness. They see the truth of God’s Word clearly. They are walking in the light as He is in the light. They have God’s wisdom in matters. They are walking in His perfect will. They see consistent answers in their prayers. They reflect the presence of God among others. They are people whom others long to associate with.
How’s your heart? Do you need a heart check? Don’t ignore your heart, for out of it come the issues of life. Get closer to God by coming to Him for a heart that is pure and clean.
Have a purifying God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Thessalonians 1-5