All week, I’ve felt a spiritual call: “purify my heart, Lord.” There’s a song about heart purification called “Refiner’s Fire,” penned by Brian Doerksen in 1990. Some lyrics from “Refiner’s Fire” include: refiner’s fire, my one desire is to be holy, set apart for you, Lord, ready to do your will. I choose to be holy, set apart for You, my Master. As I write today, I sense in my spirit the call to return to the essence of worship, where it’s all about Jesus. There is a song entitled, “The Heart of Worship” by Matt Redman.
An alarming epidemic of spiritual adultery and friendship with the world ran rampant in the early church. James passionately told his readers to repent from their wicked ways and return to the Lord.
Are we witnessing the same situation among those who identify as Christians, as James discussed?
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8, ESV).
“Purify your hearts,” you double-minded was James’ clear and distinct call to inner purification- to recognize and confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness.
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His Holy Place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false God (Psalm 24:3-4).
James branded the believer “double-minded” because they continued to live with one foot in the world while claiming to love and worship God.
The Apostle John acknowledged that the true children of God who look forward to Christ’s return “purify themselves,” just as He is pure (1John 3:3).
Jesus Himself said, ” Blessed are the pure of heart for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8
The Apostle Paul explained that God looks for servants who commit their entire being to Him.
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
RUN from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.
Lastly, enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:21-22). Anything or anyone that distracts us or has a contaminating influence on our lives will divide our loyalties and soil our hearts, rendering us ineffective Kingdom servants.
Purity goes beyond just cleaning our outward behaviors to the internal purification of heart, mind, and soul (purify your heart).
The views and opinions expressed by Kingdom Winds Collective Members, authors, and contributors are their own and do not represent the views of Kingdom Winds LLC.
About the Author
Stephanie Reck provides life coaching services to women to help them get unstuck from life's challenges and move towards their purpose in God using 1:1 coaching sessions, courses, books, articles blogs, and videos.
It is her mission to see women healed and whole through the work of the Holy Spirit and apply prayer, scriptures, deliverance, and/or a word of encouragement as the Holy Spirit directs to redirect women back to their first love, Jesus Christ.
