Be on Guard (day 61)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Jesus is the perfect example of a pure heart. Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, the author and completer. (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus lived the life that God desires each of us to live, because his heart’s deepest cry was, “Not my will, but thine be done, Oh Lord.”

Later in the “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus says;

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)

In the heart is where sin is originated. It is sin before it ever leaves the heart. In the book of James, I see the progress of sin and how it is formed in my heart. (James 1:14-15)

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Whenever lust finds a place in my heat, a place where it is welcome, then it can develop and grow sin that can only end in death. This takes place in my heart, the place where I like it.

Could it be that a pure heart is one where lust cannot find a place where it is welcome?

The lusts are in my flesh. Someone has said that when the lusts in my flesh come up to the door of my heart and want to come in, it is my duty to meet them there with the cross.

Proverbs 4:23 has a very serious exhortation for me. One translation that claims to be literal says,

Above every charge keep your heart, for out of it are the outgoings of life.

Father in Heaven, this is an area where I often am found with my guard down. Please help me to find grace to be more diligent here and to guard my heart so that when lust comes to enter, I will be at the door with the cross to stop it. In the blessed name of Jesus, amen.