“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  Matthew 5:8.

Intro
Many times, we are not aware of what is in our hearts. Sometimes we are not aware of why we do what we do or say what we say. 

Self-examination
We must begin by examining our hearts. Is there anything in us that is not genuine? Like when we ask how someone is doing, are our motives sincere or do we sometimes have ill will in our souls? Do we ever “share” about others under the guise of it being a “prayer request,” but our true intent is malicious gossip. Beloved, we must check our hearts.

At times we have convinced ourselves that we are helping people by giving them advice but is our real motive to help them or is there some other motive involved? Are we seeking to gain power or be smarter? If so, we need to repent and change. There are things to root out because they are not coming from a Godly place. We must become open and transparent before the Lord.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9

David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart… And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23–24).

Again, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart… for they shall see God.” Having a clean heart is the requirement to see God. Our heart must become so pure that God’s Spirit can shine through it.

Beloved, we need to continually invite the Lord to show us our heart. Before we speak or act, start by asking: “Am I coming from the right place? Are these words and/or actions right before You?”

“Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

Walking in Fellowship
Sadly, many believe in God without deep fellowship with Him – compartmentalizing their walk and relying on religious routines. But it is supposed to go so much deeper.

Relationship is forged through fellowship. To commune with Father, we must be transformed and become like Him. If we practice filtering everything going into our heart by letting in what is from God and keeping out what is not, we will keep our hearts pure and begin experiencing Him more and more. This is daily, intentional work. We need to continuously be examining our hearts and aggressively rooting out what is unholy—hatred, malice, fear, jealousy, rejection and lust. Fervently rejecting wrong thoughts and attitudes.

“We are destroying speculations… taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Overcoming
Everything not from God must be battled, then defeated – so our hearts remain clean. Seven times in Revelation 2–3, Yeshua said, “He that overcomes will inherit these things.” We must defeat the flesh: “For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live” “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions” (Romans 8:13/ Galatians 5:19&20). We must also resist the devil: “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). And stay ready for battle: “Put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11).

Closing
Beloved, fight the good fight of faith. Knowing that one day we will lay down our armor. But for now, stay battle-ready, resist, overcome—and, as Yeshua said, “See God.”