Part 1 | A Pure Heart
“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:5 NLT
In his first letter to his spiritual son Timothy, Paul includes this one verse that echoes throughout the rest of the book. It’s so simple, yet so profound.
Over this next week, we will take one day at a time to look at each of the three things Paul says are essential: a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. I originally thought it would be just a one-day devotion, but as I reflected, I sensed it would be beneficial to dig deeper into each one.
What I love about Scripture is this: when you read it not just to check a box, but to be transformed, it does just that. There is such richness in this book. It speaks to the deep places of our souls and renews our minds. All other books are secondary; the Bible is a deep well of life-giving water.
I hope the journey this week refreshes you and draws you closer to Him. Let’s go!
“A Pure Heart” | 1 Timothy 1:5
Paul starts with a pure heart. This is where it all begins.At salvation, the Bible teaches that a heart transformation must take place. God takes our hardened hearts and gives us hearts that are tender to Him and His Word. Hearts that are tender toward others, even those who are not like us.
David prayed in his darkest hour:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” – Psalms 51:10 NLT
This is a great place to start. One of the keys to having a tender heart is realizing how quickly and easily our hearts can grow hard to Him. That usually happens through what I call the 3 D’s: distraction, disappointment, and the devil.
In this most recent season, I’ve wrestled with disappointment. It has been an ongoing conversation with God as I try to process my disappointment. In other seasons, it’s been distraction or spiritual attack. Whatever you are facing, know this: a soft heart is key.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” – Proverbs 4:23 NLT
How heart-conscious are you? In a culture that is all about feelings, we must be dedicated to guarding our hearts. Too often we give our hearts away to things that will never satisfy.
One translation of Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard the affections of your heart.” What does that mean? Our eyes and our ears are the gateway to our heart. What we focus on and what we listen to has a massive impact on our heart. When we listen to gossip or slander, it affects our heart. When we look at things that don’t glorify God, it affects our heart. Guard your heart.
“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” – Matthew 5:8 NLT
It’s easier to see God at work when my heart is pure. I begin to see His hand at work. I’m more optimistic, more hopeful. Why? Because I see Him more clearly. The lights come on a little more, and I begin to see His hand is at work.
“Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Interlude” – Psalms 24:3-6 NLT
The Psalmist echoes the word of Jesus: if you want to be closer to God, a tender, pure heart is required. It’s not based on performance or perfection. It’s allowing God to do the transformative work of salvation in you. Not for others to see, but for you to know it’s real.
At it’s core, a pure heart is a correctly motivated heart. I think this is the deep work. Do we want Jesus for what He gives or do we want Jesus for who He is? Motivation, for me, is the hardest thing to peel back. In church culture, we often hide our unrighteousness ambition with seemingly righteous reasons. But in the end, we will not be judged by all we accomplished. We’ll be judged by whether we knew Him, and whether He knew us. That sounds like a heart issue not a performance issue.
A pure heart.
How pure is your heart? How honest is your heart? Those are powerful questions. Ask Him today. You may be pleasantly surprised by His response.
Next up…A Clear Conscience.
In his first letter to his spiritual son Timothy, Paul includes this one verse that echoes throughout the rest of the book. It’s so simple, yet so profound.
Over this next week, we will take one day at a time to look at each of the three things Paul says are essential: a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. I originally thought it would be just a one-day devotion, but as I reflected, I sensed it would be beneficial to dig deeper into each one.
What I love about Scripture is this: when you read it not just to check a box, but to be transformed, it does just that. There is such richness in this book. It speaks to the deep places of our souls and renews our minds. All other books are secondary; the Bible is a deep well of life-giving water.
I hope the journey this week refreshes you and draws you closer to Him. Let’s go!
“A Pure Heart” | 1 Timothy 1:5
Paul starts with a pure heart. This is where it all begins.At salvation, the Bible teaches that a heart transformation must take place. God takes our hardened hearts and gives us hearts that are tender to Him and His Word. Hearts that are tender toward others, even those who are not like us.
David prayed in his darkest hour:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” – Psalms 51:10 NLT
This is a great place to start. One of the keys to having a tender heart is realizing how quickly and easily our hearts can grow hard to Him. That usually happens through what I call the 3 D’s: distraction, disappointment, and the devil.
In this most recent season, I’ve wrestled with disappointment. It has been an ongoing conversation with God as I try to process my disappointment. In other seasons, it’s been distraction or spiritual attack. Whatever you are facing, know this: a soft heart is key.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” – Proverbs 4:23 NLT
How heart-conscious are you? In a culture that is all about feelings, we must be dedicated to guarding our hearts. Too often we give our hearts away to things that will never satisfy.
One translation of Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard the affections of your heart.” What does that mean? Our eyes and our ears are the gateway to our heart. What we focus on and what we listen to has a massive impact on our heart. When we listen to gossip or slander, it affects our heart. When we look at things that don’t glorify God, it affects our heart. Guard your heart.
“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” – Matthew 5:8 NLT
It’s easier to see God at work when my heart is pure. I begin to see His hand at work. I’m more optimistic, more hopeful. Why? Because I see Him more clearly. The lights come on a little more, and I begin to see His hand is at work.
“Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Interlude” – Psalms 24:3-6 NLT
The Psalmist echoes the word of Jesus: if you want to be closer to God, a tender, pure heart is required. It’s not based on performance or perfection. It’s allowing God to do the transformative work of salvation in you. Not for others to see, but for you to know it’s real.
At it’s core, a pure heart is a correctly motivated heart. I think this is the deep work. Do we want Jesus for what He gives or do we want Jesus for who He is? Motivation, for me, is the hardest thing to peel back. In church culture, we often hide our unrighteousness ambition with seemingly righteous reasons. But in the end, we will not be judged by all we accomplished. We’ll be judged by whether we knew Him, and whether He knew us. That sounds like a heart issue not a performance issue.
A pure heart.
How pure is your heart? How honest is your heart? Those are powerful questions. Ask Him today. You may be pleasantly surprised by His response.
Next up…A Clear Conscience.
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