THE SANITIZED HEART
"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.
Have you ever seen a tree that looks splendid on the outside, but when you cut it down, it is completely empty on the inside? Samuel once made that mistake! He was sent by God to the house of Jesse in other to anoint a new king. The man of God would have anointed Eliab, but God stopped him. We make the same mistake too! We look at a person and think they're perfect only to discover later that we were wrong. But with God there is no deception. He looks right through our hearts. God's still looking for the upright and pure in heart today.
"“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9.
The human heart is dark, clever, mysterious and crafty; it can appear one way when it is actually another. We can use a sweet voice, and act and sound as if we're perfectly calm, when inwardly we're boiling with rage.
"21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” Mark 7:21-23.
A heart that's nourished with immoral thought will lead its one to fornication, rape, prostitution and adultery. So we should be careful to protect it from contamination and defilement. The word defilement means to corrupt, to debauch, to violate, to tarnish the purity, to taint, to stain, to contaminate, and to render impure.
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45.
If your heart is filled with bitterness, hate, lust, pride, anger, rebellion and unforgiveness, then it will come out in your words. And if your heart is filled with love and forgiveness, that will come out in your words as well.
"As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man." Proverbs 27:19.
Just as we see our reflection in a mirror or a body of water, our actions reveal the state of our hearts.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” Psalm 51:10.
The Holy Spirit can breathe new life into our hearts and remove all impurities. But we have to actively fight against defilement. We must repent and let God works on our hearts. He'll renew and sanitize our hearts.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SANITIZE?
As we contend with the COVID-19 virus distressing the world today, evidence indicates that the pandemic is transmitted through respiratory droplets or contact. Contact transmission takes place when contaminated hands touch the mucous of the mouth, nose, or eyes; the virus can also be transferred from one surface to another by polluted hands, which facilitates indirect contact transmission. Consequently, hand hygiene is extremely important to prevent the spread of the virus. Hand sanitizers interrupts transmission of COVID-19, other viruses and bacteria causing common colds, flu and pneumonia, thus reducing the general burden.
Maintaining a clean hands and other body parts is healthy, but if your heart is full of evil or darkness, it is a waste. We can wash the outside of our bodies and everything around us, but if we don't purify our hearts we'll have evil thoughts. So what does it mean to sanitize? To sanitize is to clean something to make it free of bacteria or disease causing particles. It is to make completely clean. Sanitizing is to remove contamination from something, and thus rendering it safe. It is to get rid of impurities. To sanitize is to make something more acceptable by removing dirt. It is to lessens and even kills germs on surfaces to make them safe for contact. Other words for sanitize are: decontaminate, clean, freshen and purify. Purification is a must in order to do all that God wants to do in our lives. The definition of holiness is "set apart, consecrated, dedicated to God, separated and sanctified." "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8. Clean hands and pure hearts is a reality.
THE HEART:
The physical heart is an organ in our circulatory system. It pumps blood, supplies oxygen and nutrients to the body. Meaning if your heart has a problem, it can affect all other parts of the body. The heart, according to the Bible, is the place where emotions and desires begin; it is what drives our will towards action. The condition of your heart is of primary importance to God: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" Proverbs 4:23. The heart is the soul or mind of man. It is the foundation of our thoughts, passions, desires, appetites and affections. The heart can be pure or impure! If your heart is pure, then everything springing from it is pure. If your heart is impure, then your life will be impure. Your action are a result of what is in your heart.
"Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." Psalm 24:3-5. According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance,, the word “clean” means "innocent, blameless, clear, free, guiltless and pure." Purity is freedom from pollution and defilement. It means to be singular in substance, without any impurities. We need to guard our hearts with all diligence and keep it pure from impurities at all times. Proverbs 4:23.
What then, are the characteristics of a pure heart?
1. A pure heart is one that has been cleansed from sin through the sacrificial blood of Christ. Purity of heart is found in those who have truly repented of their sin. A person with a pure heart is one who is undefiled by sin.
2. To be pure in heart means to be totally devoted to God. It is a heart that is solely committed to Christ.
3. The sanitized heart is marked by transparency and an uncompromising desire to please God in all things.
4. A pure heart will enable us to enter God’s presence and have an eternal relationship with Him. He who is pure in heart walks with the Most High. Nobody with unclean hands or an impure heart of any kind may ascend to the mountain of the Lord. Hearts that are defiled with the consequences of sin are not yet free to see God.
5. A pure heart must be clean, washed, clear, pure and penitent. The word “penitent” means, “expressing or feeling regret or sorrow for having committed sins or misdeeds.” A pure heart is a repentant heart.
6. A pure heart is always cheerful. Proverbs 15:15. The joy of the Lord, even in the midst of trials, is a sign of pure heart. A heart that's pure is always happy. Proverbs 15:13. They have peace with God and the world.
7. A clean heart is a spring of water that quenches the thirst of others. A pure heart is always bearing fruits.
8. A sanitized heart is trusting. Proverbs 20:9.
9. It is wise. Proverbs 10:8.
10. The pure in hearts have a desire to please God in all things.
11. It is a heart of integrity.
12. A pure heart is perfect.
13. When you have a pure heart you operate in power.
14. A sincere heart is a pure heart; it has no hypocrisy. A sincere heart serves God with the whole heart.
15. A pure heart is fully surrendered to the will of God. Psalm 139:23.
16. A pure heart pursues holiness. Until the heart is pure, our ministries and religious activities are impure.
17. A sanitized heart thinks kind, loving, and positive thoughts. If the heart is full of love, there's no room for envy, greed and bitterness.
18. The pure in heart are not deceitful. They are not pretenders. It means our motives are clean.
19. The pure in heart are discerning. Proverbs 15:14.
"Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart." Psalm 73:1. God wants our hearts to be pure.
If your heart is pure, you can come near to God. However the human heart by nature, is evil, treacherous and deceitful. "Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross." Proverbs 26:23.
1. An impure heart is hardened. Proverbs 28:14.
2. It is proud or haughty. Proverbs 18:12.
3. An impure heart lusts; it is perverse. Proverbs 6:25.
4. It devises wicked schemes. Proverbs 6:18.
5. An impure heart rages against God. Proverbs 19:3.
6. It is perverse. Proverbs 12:8.
7. An impure heart is stony. Ezekiel 36:26. A heart of stone is heartless; it has no feelings.
8. An impure heart has no compassion; it is selfish.
9. An impure heart is bitter and unforgiving. Ezekiel 27:31.
10. It is obstinate. Deuteronomy 2:30.
11. It is foolish and darkened. Romans 1:21.
12. An impure heart is impenitent. Romans 1:21, 2:5.
13. It is mischievous and diabolical. Proverbs 28:14.
14. An impure heart is covetous. Jeremiah 22:17. Covetousness is the origin of murder. 1 Kings 21:13.
15. It is a heart that delight in iniquity. Psalm 66:18.
16. An impure heart is an unbelieving heart. Hebrews 3:12.
17. It pollutes the heart. An impure heart is corrupt. Proverbs 17:20.
18. An impure heart defiles all religious duties. It is like a pure stream running through muddy ground. The unforgiveness, bitterness, grudges, malice or envy you're having towards others is a proof of a defile heart.
"O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?" Jeremiah 4:14. What is the state of your heart? Are you aware of any impurity?
Purifying our hearts is the beautiful work of the Holy Spirit, but there are some things we must do in response to His prompting. In order to have a pure heart, we must seek for it. We must want it. We must desire it.
1. Come clean before God.
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18.
Prepare your heart by repenting of sins and seeking the Lord. God will not disregard a broken and contrite heart. Come as you are and be washed in the Blood of Jesus. He'll whitens your heart, even the darkest one.
2. Release unforgiveness and bitterness.
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32.
Bitterness starts out small. We may encounter a disappointment, insult, or offense that upsets us greatly. Instead of responding appropriately we internalize the anger, allowing it to become bitterness. Bitterness destroys our minds, souls, and bodies. It destroys our relationship with God, with others, and our peace of mind. Let it go!
3. Renew your mind daily.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2.
a. The more of God’s Word you study and obey, the purer your heart will be.
“Now ye are clean through the word” John 15:3. The Bible breathes purity, consecrates the soul and enlightens the mind.
b. We must be constantly praying.
Set aside time each day to just be with the Lord in prayer.
c. Develop a growing faith.
d. Engage your mind in thanksgiving, praise and worship.
e. Keep your heart with all diligence – fight sin from its beginning in your heart
f. Keep your heart renew by exercising your will to be obedient and submissive to the Lord.
4. Avoid anything that defiles.
To preserve your clean garment, avoids dirt. If you would be pure, walk with those who are pure. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise” Proverbs 13:20, Put up boundaries. Guard your mind and the gateways to your heart: eyes, ears, nose, touch, and smell. Do not allow anything to pollute your heart.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8.
To have a pure heart is to accept Jesus Lord and Savior. He can give you a new heart. Why not say this prayer today: “Lord God, I come to You. I acknowledge that I am a sinner who needs Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the Cross to save me and He resurrected on the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to Him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I’m saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, I seek Your face today and ask You to restore in me a clean heart, in Jesus name.
2. O Lord, help me to rid of all the clutter in my heart, in Jesus name.
3. Create in me in a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me, in Jesus name.
4. Holy Spirit, purge me of every fleshly desires. Set my heart on fire with Your love, in Jesus name.
