Our final section of godly desires to pursue is purity of heart, one of the beatitudes the Jesus spoke of. While we are strongly encouraged to flee that which harms the soul, it’s not just about avoiding bad desires, but embracing godly ones. We start the week with an analogy of clothes, hoping to see godly changes for our heart.

Genesis 35:2

... purify yourselves and change your clothes.

As a statement of changing one’s ways, one would change their clothes (or even burn them) in testimony to a commitment to become different. Remember smoky bowling alleys – or bars? A person would come home with clothes that reeked of smoke. Now imagine the stench of sin attached to your clothes instead (see Jude 1:23). You can see why one would burn them: The reminder is evident and unmistakable.

Lord God, let my desire to change that rises within me during times of prayer and worship translate in all facets of my life.  Amen.

We step into this week celebrating You, Father, who gives us new hearts;

We celebrate You, Jesus, who make us pure and white like new-fallen snow;

We celebrate You, Holy Spirit, who replaces our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh;

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

John 5:14

Stop sinning.

That’s pretty blunt! Sometimes we need someone to be this blunt with us. Jesus spoke this to a crippled man He had healed minutes earlier, telling him now to stop sinning or something worse might happen. While living as an invalid is no cakewalk, living in unrepentant sin leaves you with a crippled relationship with God – a far worse situation.

Lord God, I want to honor You in all that I do; empower me to stop this sin:…

(name whatever sins are currently plaguing you, then…)

Help me to replace this with honorable thougths and actions. In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

James 4:9

... change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.

This change is not about laughter or joy itself, but about laughter associated with wickedness and joy derived from sinful pleasures. Many Christians still revel in things that God’s Word clearly calls out as sinful. We have learned to ‘stomach’ a great deal without even noticing sin’s putrid taste (which in all likelihood is also deadening our taste buds to the rich flavor of God’s goodness!).

Lord God, restore to me a sensitized palate spiritually so that I can identify the wide influence of sin around me – and the richness of your bountiful fare around me as well. Wake up my spiritual taste buds.

Amen.

Jeremiah 7:5

... your ways and your actions...

These words are shared about people who perceived themselves as followers of God – regular worshippers – but who also treated others with contempt and disdain (see Jer. 7) and disrespected God’s commands. That combination of lifestyles is a stench to God, causing Him to turn His ear from such people.

Lord God, let me not live hypocritically, but rather let my ways reveal a purified heart, displaying an active faith and conscientious Christian life.

Amen.

Isaiah 1:13

Stop bringing meaningless offerings!

This goes back to yesterday’s devotion: A lifestyle not matching one’s worship-style. Gifts and offerings are great and honor God, but ring hollow when the worship and offerings contrast the bulk of our life choices. If that is the case, then our offerings are not just meaningless, but detestable to God – ouch!

Lord God, let my primary offering to You be the choices in life that I make – in honor of You. Let my godly choices to rise out of a pure heart like acts of worship carried on throughout the week. 

Amen.

John 7:24

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.

To judge or not to judge, that is the question (with apologies to Hamlet). While Jesus said “Don’t judge, or you too will be judged” (Matt. 7:1), he also said Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. Both verses share a
similar concept: Don’t judge by your standards – or by ‘mere appearances’ – but do judge by God’s standards, which is definitely the right thing to do.

Teach me the difference between proper and improper judging, and be merciful as You have been to me over and over and over again!

Amen.

John 20:27

… stop doubting and believe.

What else might a Christian consider changing? Consider changing your doubts about God: Quit doubting and start believing that God will take care of you, that He will provide for you, that He has forgiven you, that you are of great value to Him and that He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Then follow Him passionately – follow Him firmly – follow him faithfully!

Lord, like the father in Mark 9:24, I too proclaim: I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!

Amen.