Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:10, 12 (NIV)
When we think of the things we are not supposed to do, we often begin by thinking of the Ten Commandments. We know God directs us not to lie, steal and kill, etc. These commands are easy to identify when they happen because they are generally outward activities to others. But God also cares about what happens in our heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Many of the items mentioned as the work of the flesh in Galatians 5 are inward items and matters of the heart.
We can ask God to clean our hearts and make us more like Him. While the works of the flesh may not disappear overnight, we can become more like God each day. We can ask God to give us a pure heart.
Prayer: God, create in me a pure heart. I want to reflect you to the world around me. Make me more like you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.