Being pure in heart is a concept that’s mentioned several times in the Bible, especially in the New Testament. At its core, it refers to having sincere, undivided devotion and loyalty to God in one’s inner being. The “heart” in Scripture represents the center of a person – their motives, desires, will, thoughts and intentions. So having a “pure heart” means all those things are fully dedicated to the Lord without hypocrisy or divided loyalties.
1. Holiness and Moral Integrity
One aspect of being “pure in heart” is having a heart that is cleansed from sin and instead pursues holiness and moral integrity by the power of the Holy Spirit. We see this in verses like Psalm 24:3-4 which says “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” (ESV). Having “clean hands” speaks of righteous living, while having a “pure heart” gets at the inner motivation and devotion to God’s ways.
Paul wrote to Timothy about the need to “pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22 ESV). The pure heart is linked to pursuing holiness, doing what is right in God’s eyes. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8 ESV), emphasizing moral purity. As Hebrews 12:14 (ESV) says, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
2. Singleness of Devotion
A pure heart is also one that is wholly devoted to God without divided loyalties. James 4:8 says to “draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James rebukes those who are trying to have the best of both worlds – friendship with God but also friendship with sin and the world. True purity of heart requires single-minded devotion to pleasing the Lord.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasized this undivided loyalty saying “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 ESV). He calls us to have hearts that are loyal to God alone, not divided by love of money, sin or anything else that could become an idol.
3. Acting from Pure Motives
The pure in heart do the right things for the right reasons – out of love for God and desire to glorify Him, not out of self-interest. As 1 Peter 1:22 (ESV) says, “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love…” True purity seeks to obey God and love others out of care for God’s glory and others’ good, not merely out of duty or coercion.
Jesus harshly rebuked the outwardly religious Pharisees because though they acted pious, their hearts were impure. He said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25 ESV). Outward actions are not enough; God cares about why we do what we do. A pure heart loves and serves God out of genuine love and desire for His will.
4. Wholeness and Integrity
To be “pure in heart” also conveys moral wholeness and integrity. The psalmist prays to God, “Unite my heart to fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11 ESV). He asks God to bring together his motives, will and thoughts into a unified whole, fully focused on honoring the Lord. There is alignment between who he is on the inside and how he lives on the outside. He has integrity.
This wholeness is only possible by God’s grace at work in us. Paul prays for the Thessalonians, asking “may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 ESV). Our hearts are purified and made wholly devoted to God by Christ’s cleansing power.
5. Results of Purity
The Bible describes many positive results and blessings that come from pursuing a pure heart. As mentioned, the pure in heart “shall see God” (Matthew 5:8 ESV). They receive spiritual insight to know God more deeply. Purity also brings confidence on judgment day. As John says, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3 ESV). When Jesus returns, the pure in heart can stand confidently before him.
Having a pure heart also brings us into closer fellowship with God. “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” (Psalm 24:3-4 ESV). As we pursue purity, we draw nearer to God’s presence. Other results include having prayers answered (Psalm 66:18), bearing good fruit for God’s kingdom (Matthew 7:17-18), and being used by God for His purposes (2 Timothy 2:19-22).
6. How to Become Pure in Heart
Though we cannot make ourselves 100% pure, Scripture gives several practical ways we can actively pursue greater purity of heart:
– Ask God to purify you. David prayed, “create in me a clean heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:10 ESV). Yield to the refining work of the Holy Spirit.
– Fill your mind with Scripture. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9 ESV). Immersing our minds in God’s truth sanctifies us.
– Pursue accountability. “But exhort one another every day…that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13 ESV). Avoid hiding but bring your struggles into the light.
– Be quick to repent when convicted. “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 3:19 ESV). Don’t cling to sin; turn from it right away.
– Renew your mind daily. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” (Romans 12:2 ESV). Replace worldly thinking with God’s perspective.
– Look to Christ. “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3 ESV). Remembering Christ’s sacrifice motivates purity.
7. A Lifelong Process
Having a pure heart is a lifelong process of growth for believers. We will never achieve perfection this side of eternity. As Philippians 3:12 (ESV) says, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own…” Our aim should be continual growth into greater Christlikeness.
Even longtime apostles like Paul said things like “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV). He knew that purity was not a one-time goal but a lifelong pursuit, requiring great effort and God’s enabling grace every day.
Through godly disciplines, genuine community, the Spirit’s power and learning to yield our desires to God’s will more quickly, we can grow toward purity of heart. The more we see and savor Jesus, the more purity we will long for. While sinless perfection will only come in eternity, we seek by God’s grace to walk in ever increasing holiness in this life.
8. Guarding Against Self-Righteousness
In pursuing purity of heart, it’s important we don’t fall into the trap of legalism or self-righteousness. Having a long list of rules to follow can lead to pride, judgment of others and hypocrisy. Rules without heart change only breed Pharisees.
The antidote to legalism is grace. We must remember that we can only have any purity because of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, not because we’ve earned it. Our hearts are only cleansed as we humble ourselves before Him. As J.C. Ryle said “The purest hearts are those which feel most their own impurity.”
We should hold ourselves to high standards of holiness while also being quick to give grace to others. Our aim should be encouraging other believers in their walk with humility, not condemning them for falling short of perfection. Authentic purity comes from Christ-centered grace, not self-effort.
9. Christ’s Example
If we want the best example of purity of heart, we need look no further than Jesus Christ. He modeled perfect devotion to God, uncompromising obedience, sinless living, flawless motives and integrity between His inner and outer life.
As Hebrews 4:15 (ESV) says, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Even under great pressure and opposition, Jesus’ heart remained loyal to the Father. The disciples observed Christ’s integrity firsthand for 3 years.
The Gospel of John emphasizes Jesus’ purity and singleness of purpose, recorded in verses like:
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 5:30 ESV)
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38 ESV)
“I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” (John 10:32 ESV)
May we look to Christ and pray for the Holy Spirit to purify our hearts, making them more like His.