Gain A Pure Heart

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:16:12 EST

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." (Colossians 4:6).

How do you gain a pure heart and gracious speech? Are you born with it? Or is having a pure heart the result of God's teaching, spiritual maturity and practice? David, a person God dearly loved, apparently developed his pure heart. He sought to be the kind of man that God wanted and he loved to please his Lord. David was not born with pure heart skills, but rather he sought to perfect his heart, his mind and his character. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." (Psalm 139:23-24).

Too often, people think that being good is a talent you are born with. That it is a gift. Some people have it and some do not. On the contrary, being good is a learned characteristic and behavior. We are not born with a goodness gene, nor are we born with an innate ability to do things the right way. Rather we are born totally absent of these skills.

But once you develop pure heart skills, you will find that kings and leaders will seek you out.

Proverbs 22 - Teaches us today?

Proverbs 22:11 "(11) "He who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend."

Psalm 69:29-33 (Theme: The Cry of a Lonely Sufferer). "(29) But I am afflicted and in pain; May Thy salvation, O God, set me securely on high. (30) I will praise the name of God with song, And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving. (31) And it will please the Lord better than an ox Or a young bull with horns and hoofs. (32) The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God, let your heart revive. (33) For the Lord hears the needy, And does not despise His who are prisoners."

Today's question. How can I develop a pure heart?

First, as a Christian, by making a decision that you are going to develop the fruits of the spirit. These fruits are: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such thing there is no law."

(Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit who is living in all Christians will help you to develop these fruits. It is not magic; it is a choice that begins with prayer and by having the Holy Spirit as a helper, you have the power to gain victory in each of these areas.

Second, one of the best books in this area is the book of Proverbs. It is full of wisdom to help all who seek it...find it. "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy." (James 3:17).

Third, learn to love others. It is easy to love someone who is just like you. The same background, the same values, from the same part of the country, but to learn how to love others means that you must seek value in all human beings. Learning to love others is a faith act. It is stepping out on faith determined to find in a new and different individual God like characteristics. How can you call someone a Christian brother if you do not recognize the value in him as a brother?

Forth, God first, others second, I am third. "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others." (Philippians 2:3-4).

Dear God, help us to develop a pure heart as David did. We have the teachings, Your Bible, we have the helper, You; and if we pray for victory, we can count on our prayers being answered. Amen.

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Gain A Pure Heart