Heart ChecksSample

Be Pure-Hearted

Today, we are looking at the sixth Beatitude. Here, Jesus talks about something else we all desperately need—and that’s a healthy heart. In Matthew 5:8, Jesus says: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” In other words, Jesus is saying, “Happy are you when your heart is undivided, undistracted, and undiluted, for then you will experience God and see Him clearly moving in your life.”

I think Jesus knew we would need regular spiritual heart check-ups, and He illustrates this in The Parable of the Sower found in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4. In verse 3, Jesus begins the parable by saying: …“A farmer went out to sow his seed.” As the farmer is scattering the seed it falls in four places—along the road, among the rocks, amidst the thorns, and on good soil. The only seed that brought a great crop was that which fell on the good soil.

There are three elements in the story—the sower, the seed, and the soil. The sower represents God, and He sows the seed… which is the Word. The seed is sown into the soil… which represents our heart.

Do we have control over the sower? No—God doesn’t change.

Do we have control over the seed? No—the Word of God doesn’t change.

Do we have control over the soil? Yes—we have the stewardship of our hearts.

Look what Jesus says in verses 18-19: “Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Jesus is speaking of heart conditions here, where there are clogs and blockages which make our hearts—and thus our lives—unfruitful.

From this parable, Jesus gives us three clear heart checks:

1. Is your heart distracted?

Jesus says in verse 19: “…the cares of this world… choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Jesus is clearly saying, “Your heart’s focus is distracted by the anxieties of this life.” All of us can find ourselves overwhelmed and distracted at times. This is why it’s so critical to still our souls, sit at the feet of Jesus, and receive His Word each day.

2. Is your heart divided?

Jesus continues in verse 19: “…the deceitfulness of riches… choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Jesus identifies another heart condition here—the excessive pursuit of success, achievement, and wealth. Friend, God wants you to be blessed—but He doesn’t want blessings to have you. If we’re not careful our hearts can become divided.

3. Is your heart diluted?

Jesus goes on to say in Mark 4:19: “...the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Here’s the thing about things—things clutter. Perhaps you have that room in your house that just collects things, or maybe it’s your garage or a drawer in the kitchen. Clutter just collects, and there’s more and more and more until you can’t find anything. It’s diluted because it’s so cluttered up. Nothing stands out. This is a common heart condition these days—a diluted heart.

Jesus wants us to live pure in heart. Let’s ask God to search our hearts daily. Psalm 139:23-24 is something I pray on a very regular basis: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." We can live pure in heart. Jesus says we have a choice in the condition of our hearts. How’s your heart? Is it distracted, divided, or diluted by the pursuit of things? Pray Psalm 139 and see what the Holy Spirit says to you.

Today’s heart check: Is my heart pure—or is it distracted, divided, and diluted?

After you reflect, bring everything to God in prayer.