Purity of Heart

 

 

Central Thought: Be an example in word, lifestyle and purity.

 

Hymn: “Take My Life and Let It Be.”

Text: Philippians 4:8; Matthew 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:5

 

 

We live in a dispensation where the message of prosperity is unduly emphasized, as if that is the whole essence of our faith. Little emphases are laid on the primary virtues of the Christian faith, and the personal attributes that put us in position to relate fruitfully with God.

Today’s study is NOT about the biological heart that is responsible for blood circulation in a body. It is fully about the ‘spiritual heart’ that plays host to the mind, the conscience and all our thought processes.  It is a great factory that manufactures raw materials that shapes our lives.

If we are to accomplish the goal of entering into the kingdom of God, then we must pay very close attention to the state of our heart.

This study will focus on practical approaches to attaining the purity of heart.

 

 

Lesson Objectives:

1. To explain the concept of purity of heart.
2. To highlight the condition of the heart of the natural man.
3. To discuss the relationship between the state of our heart and our lifestyle.
4. To discuss God’s provision to attain a pure heart.
5. To list the blessings associated with purity of heart.

 

1. Explain the concept of ‘purity of heart’.

In the context of his study, the word ‘Heart’ is not referring to the well-known biological organ that pumps blood round the entire body. Rather it symbolizes that part of man that serves as the seat of reason resulting in decisions, actions and intentions of the entire body.

To be pure in heart means to preserve this seat of reason so that it is holy, clean, without admixture, morally sound and denied of resources to incubate evil thoughts. Purity of heart is simply a state where the seat of reason is free from defilement and it is truly regenerated by the word of God, Romans 12:2.

 

2. How does the Bible describe the heart of the natural man? Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9

The Bible declared in very clear terms, the very conditions and characteristics of the heart of the fallen man. First the heart of the natural man is great in wickedness.  This means it could be dangerous and very harmful.  Secondly, it is inclined to evil as a habit.  Righteousness and godliness are not part of his nature.

Furthermore, it is desperate, and ready to do anything to have his way without worrying about the consequences. It is also deceitful, full of dishonesty and telling of lies.  Finally, it is difficult to discern the heart of the natural man (or read from the outside).  Hence, it is unpredictable and unreliable.

These attributes are the reasons for violence, cruelty, betrayals and tension all over the world today.

 

3. Identify the steps to take for one’s heart to be free from the state of the natural man? John 3:3; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:8-9; Romans 12:1-2

It is impossible to obtain deliverance from the captivating nature of man by our natural abilities. But God has made some timely provisions for the redemption of man.  This we can experience if in humble submission to God, we go through the following steps:

-acknowledge the fact that you are a sinner, who is facing the imminent wrath of God and sincerely seek for God’s mercy.

-Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s propitiation for our sins and receive Him into your life.

-Confess your sins to god, and receive forgiveness by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

-consciously hate your bad habits, forsake them and say good bye to worldliness.

-Acquaint yourself with the fellowship of brethren and the knowledge of the word of God.

-Be ever conscious of the presence of God around you, through the Holy Spirit that is now in you.

When the heart becomes regenerated, there will be visible evidence all over. Companionship or Association will be affected; utterance or word of mouth will be affected; appetites will be affected; decisions, aspirations and ambitions of life will be affected.  The regenerated man becomes a new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

 

4. List some of the things that can lead to defilement of heart?

There is a wide range of activities that has capacity to affect the state of purity of heart of a believer. These things may appear harmless but in the long run they aggregate to impose a devastating effect on the believer.  Some of the very prominent ones center on the choices we make in our day to day operations.

Our indulgences, habits and appetites have a lot of bearing and effect on our purity. What we watch, what we hear, what we say and where we go, could have fatal effect on our faith.  We must distinguish what edifies from that which does not.  What we eat or consume into our system by way of food and drink can put us in a state of defilement.

The Spiritual houses we patronize for prayers or fellowship can be a source of defilement, especially when we are down in spirit and desperate about a challenge. Absence of true fellowship with genuine believers can lead to defilement.  When we are ignorant of the word of God, not given to praises and worship, and when we are not prayerful, there is spiritual danger.

If we take our culture and tradition wholesome and without discretion, then we will definitely be prone to defilement of our spirit.

 

5. What are the provisions of God for a pure heart, and how can we key into them? Ezekiel 36:26; Hebrews 13:12; 1 Corinthians 12:1-3

God has made adequate preparation and provision for His children to live in purity of heart. He promised a new heart and a new spirit to replace the corrupt nature of the heart of man.  The heart of stone, the unimpressionable and rebellions heart He will take away.  To this end He mad Jesus available as a lamb of sacrifice for a one –for-all appeasement and atonement for sin.  Moreover, God in His wisdom made provision for the Holy Spirit to be available to all believers to serve as guide and source of strength.  Finally, He empowers believers through endowment with the gifts of the Holy Spirit for enablement, proper function and clear focus on the part of the church.

To key into these provisions of God, the believer must deeply involve himself in the study of the word of God, Psalm 119:9-11, live a life of obedience to it, be prayerful and be in regular fellowship with other believers.

 

6. What are the blessings associated with purity of heart?

Purity of heart attracts the presence of God and makes us to enjoy true fellowship with Him. A pure heart is a vessel unto honor, prepared and qualified for the Master’s use.  He will bear fruits through the nourishing influence of Jesus Christ both in character and in soul-winning.  His prayers will be answered by God and he will enjoy divine protection as a result of the divine presence of God with him.  The greatest and ultimate of all the blessings will be eternal life and eternity with God.

 

 

Daily Living Application:

The ultimate goal of the Christian race is to make heaven. It is only those with pure hearts that can accomplish this.  In this end time, there are a multitude of things around us that corrupt the mind without soliciting for them. The child of God must be fervent, focused, informed and determined to live a chaste life more than ever before.

The natural heart is wicked and deceptive, but the regenerated heart is holy, cordial, peaceful and heavenly minded.

 

 

Memory Verse:

Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”