Purify your heart
“As a man purifies his heart, temptation ceases, for when a certain unlawful desire has been taken out of the heart, the object which formerly appealed to it can no longer do so, but becomes dead and powerless, for there is nothing left in the heart that can respond to it.”
— James Allen
Reflection
“Purify Your Heart” expands Allen’s view that life changes from the inside out. The heart — the seat of desire, affection, and intention — determines the quality of your thoughts and the trajectory of your life. When the heart is cluttered with envy, bitterness, pride, or fear, thoughts become distorted and actions follow.
Purifying the heart means making room for what is good, true, and eternal. It is the ongoing work of letting go of attitudes that darken your perception and embracing those that align you with God’s purposes. This is not a one-time cleanse; it is a continual turning, a daily recalibration toward holiness.
As the heart purifies, the world takes on new color. People seem easier to love. Decisions become clearer. Temptations lose strength. Where once you were reactive, now you are steady. Purity brings emotional clarity and spiritual authority.
God does not require a perfect heart — only a surrendered one. As you purify your intentions, you make space for His wisdom to lead your steps.
And that’s worth thinking about.
— Vic Johnson
Putting It Into Practice
- Ask God to reveal one attitude that needs removing — resentment, pride, jealousy, or fear.
- Practice one intentional act of humility today.
- Replace self-protection with openness in one small interaction.
One Question To Ponder
What part of your heart is God asking you to cleanse so He can fill it with something better?
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