#CHURCHTALK 03: When the Bible Talks About a Pure Heart, What does it Really Mean?

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Purity is an often desirable virtue to most Christians, and to the world at large. It is mostly spoken about among young people, and described as a virtue which they should aspire to have. Funny enough, older folks seem never to need it, because it is almost never talked about with reference to them. But, do they need it too?

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary describes purity as the quality or state of lacking guilt or evil thoughts. Six other definitions it gives for the word are:
1.   Not mixed with anything else.
2.   Clean and not harmful in any way.
3.   Having a smooth and clear sound that is not mixed with any other sounds.
4.   Free from what vitiates, weakens or pollutes.
5.   Containing nothing that does not properly belong.
6.   Free from moral fault or guilt.

Often, in today's society, when mentioned, purity is used to refer to freedom from sexually immoral fault or guilt. Perhaps the balance is heavily tilted towards sex and sex acts because that is where most of today's immorality stems from.

But, when the Bible uses the word purity, what is it really referring to?

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In Hebrew
Throughout the old testament, when the Bible uses the word purity, it means,
To be bright, clear, clean, polished, empty, unadulterated, morally innocent or holy.

Do you notice how almost all these words smack of one thing: superiority? That's because you weren't pure unless you did certain things, such as keeping the law, following the statutes, did some religious rituals, etc.

But, two meanings that stand out are, "to be clear, and empty". Clarity and purity certainly have an affinity. To be clear means, "to be free from pollution or cloudiness" or "to be free from accusation or blame". It also means "to empty of occupants or to disentangle".

In the old testament, God's relationship with man (specifically, the people of Israel) was purely based upon the laws He had given them through Moses, and the words, signs or declarations He had made to them through various prophets. Hence, their purity was very much tied to their obedience to those laws, statutes and prophets. So, in a way, purity was entirely the result of obedience.

Obedience comes from the heart, and so does purity.

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In Greek
Throughout the new testament, the word that is translated purity is first of all of uncertain affinity (meaning that, it is not particularly related to something you do, but rather something that you are). It means "to be clean, blameless, innocent, modest, perfect, chaste, clear, tested as genuine or sincere".

In this case, do you notice how most of these words that describe purity in the new testament refer to qualitative being? It refers more to the kind of person that you are, producing the kind of things you do. So, it's not just about the obedience, but much more about the seed yielding that obedience.

This is so because, in the new testament, God's interaction with man is primarily through a covenant relationship established through man's faith in Jesus Christ, not laws, statutes or ordinances. This faith imparts the righteousness of God (that is, the right attitude of God) into the man who exercises the faith.

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Purity then, is the seed of Christ in a man's heart, producing blamelessness, innocence (clean motives), chastity, and perfection (genuine and sincere obedience) in a man's heart.

Clearly, these do not just deal with sexual immorality, but they deal with the sum total of a man's life and daily living/interactions.

1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Titus 1:15
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

2 Peter 3:1-2
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

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So, purity isn't just about how much you don't think sexually impure thoughts, but also about how you don't think to cause harm to another fellow.

It's not just about how you don't lust in your heart after men or money, but also about how you don't habor malice or unforgiveness in your heart.

It's about how you love and seek to fulfill God and other fellows more than yourself.

It's about how you think like God on issues.

Purity is spiritual freedom in the heart.


Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso is a civil/structural engineer. He is also the editor of The Paul Anunaso Blog, and can be reached at anunaso.cp@gmail.com