Introduction
When we think of the heroes of the Bible, we often think of people who were strong, brave, and accomplished great feats for God. But there were also many individuals in the Bible who were known for their pure hearts and unwavering faith in God. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at five Bible characters who exemplified purity of heart.
A pure heart is one that is free from evil thoughts, desires, and actions. It is a heart that is fully devoted to God and seeks to please Him above all else. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals who had pure hearts, and who were greatly blessed by God as a result.
In this post, we’ll be looking at five of these individuals and what we can learn from their examples.
1. David
David is perhaps one of the most well-known figures in the Bible, and for good reason. He was a man after God’s own heart, and he exemplified this through his unwavering faith and devotion to God. Despite his flaws and mistakes, David always turned to God in times of need and relied on Him for guidance and strength.
In Psalm 51:10, David cries out to God, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” This prayer is a powerful example of David’s desire for a pure heart and his recognition that only God can provide it. David’s pure heart is also evident in his love for God’s law, which he meditated on day and night (Psalm 119:97).
David’s pure heart was not only evident in his relationship with God but also with his fellow men. He showed great humility, mercy, and grace to his enemies. For example, in 1 Samuel 24:10-11, David has the opportunity to kill King Saul, who was seeking to kill him, but he chose to spare Saul’s life, saying “I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.” David’s pure heart also led him to show kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, who was the grandson of King Saul, even though he had every reason to treat him as an enemy.
2. Mary
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is another example of someone who had a pure heart. In Luke 1:38, Mary responds to the angel Gabriel’s announcement that she will give birth to the Son of God by saying, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” This response shows Mary’s complete trust in God’s plan for her life, and her willingness to submit to His will.
Mary’s pure heart is also evident in her song of praise in Luke 1:46-55, known as the Magnificat. In this song, Mary praises God for His mercy, power, and faithfulness, and declares that her soul magnifies the Lord. Mary’s pure heart allowed her to fully embrace God’s plan for her life and to trust in His goodness and faithfulness.
3. Joseph
Joseph, the son of Jacob, is another example of someone who had a pure heart. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers and facing numerous trials and temptations, Joseph remained faithful to God and maintained his integrity.
In Genesis 39:9, Joseph responds to Potiphar’s wife’s advances by saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” This response shows Joseph’s commitment to living a life that was pleasing to God, even in the face of temptation.
Joseph’s pure heart is also evident in his forgiveness of his brothers, who had betrayed him years earlier. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brothers, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Joseph’s ability to forgive and to see God’s hand in even the most difficult circumstances is a powerful example of his pure heart.
4. John the Baptist
John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus and preached repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. He is another example of someone who had a pure heart and who lived a life fully dedicated to God.
In Matthew 3:1-3, we read that John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” John’s message was one of humility, and he recognized that he was not the Messiah, but only a messenger sent to prepare the way for Jesus.
John’s pure heart is also evident in his willingness to decrease so that Jesus could increase. In John 3:30, John says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John’s humility and willingness to put Jesus first is a powerful example of a pure heart.
5. Stephen
Stephen was a deacon in the early church who was known for his wisdom, faith, and boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. In Acts 6:8, we read that Stephen was “full of faith and power, [and] did great wonders and signs among the people.” Despite facing opposition and persecution from the religious leaders, Stephen remained steadfast in his faith and his dedication to sharing the Gospel.
In Acts 7, we read about Stephen’s powerful speech before the Sanhedrin, in which he boldly proclaims the truth about Jesus and accuses the religious leaders of rejecting God’s plan for salvation. Stephen’s pure heart is evident in his willingness to speak the truth, even in the face of persecution and death.
As Stephen was being stoned to death, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and then he said, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin” (Acts 7:59-60). Stephen’s ability to forgive and to pray for his persecutors, even as he was dying, is a powerful example of a pure heart.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these five Bible characters serve as powerful examples of individuals who had pure hearts and who were greatly blessed by God as a result. Their unwavering faith and devotion to God serve as an inspiration to us all, and remind us of the importance of seeking after a pure heart.
As Christians, we are called to “keep our hearts with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23, NKJV). We must strive to maintain purity of heart and to seek after God with all our hearts, souls, and minds. By doing so, we can experience the abundant blessings and peace that come from walking in fellowship with our Lord and Savior.
Let us strive to follow the examples of these five Bible characters, and to seek after God with pure and undivided hearts. As we do so, we can trust that God will be faithful to bless us and to guide us on our journey of faith.
