What is a Clean Heart?
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
I used to think of “a clean heart” as a moral one, but I’ve come to realize that there is more to this than might initially be seen. David wrote the above verse after his adultery with Bathsheba but I think there are other ways to apply it to our lives today.
A clean heart can definitely start with seeing those around us as people instead of sex objects, but what about those that you cannot stand? A clean heart toward them might mean ridding yourself of hatred and bitterness or anything else that is clouding your heart. I talked about forgiveness yesterday, so I won’t belabor the point. I will, however, encourage you to keep digging. Once you have dealt with the bitterness and hatred that have started to spring up, watch for anger, envy, lust, and whatever else is creating a barrier between you and the Father. Habits are hard to break but these need to go.
The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, gentleness, patience, and self-control. These are the things that will clear out the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. If these do not define you, I encourage you to actively seek these things. You will never be truly happy until you do.
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