Contagious Characteristics: BeatitudesSample

When most people think of the word "pure" or "purity," their minds immediately think of being sexually impure. But, in the way Jesus talked about it, it's more than that. Being pure means being clean and free from things that aren't good for us, especially when it comes to our hearts. It is to be free from the contaminating influences of sin - not only our outside actions but also what's going on inside us.

Why is this important? Why is Jesus more focused on our hearts than on actions and behaviors? In scripture, Jesus was talking to the crowd, and He told them that everything that comes from us externally (our behaviors) first comes from us internally (our hearts). And what lives in a heart God has not cleaned are evil thoughts, killings, sexual sins, stealing, lies, slander, and many other things (Matthew 15:18-20). But, when God cleans and purifies us on the inside, our behaviors and actions will change and eventually reflect His behavior and actions. We must allow God to cleanse our hearts by entrusting Him with them.

Here is something important to note: It is not only bad things that can affect our hearts; even good things like homework, serving in your local church, and playing sports can become too important and distracting if we care about them more than God. Though these are good things, the goal is to keep them in the right place. Imagine if your heart is so focused on homework that you're willing to forget spending time with God or being kind to others. Or if winning in sports becomes more important than treating people with respect. Times like this are when good things can become destructive because they distract us from the main thing: God.

The goal is to see God clearly and to spend forever with Him. We must guard our hearts by protecting them from the world's influences (Proverbs 4:23), staying focused on what truly matters, and living free of distractions by following Jesus and allowing Him to transform our hearts daily.

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some practical ways that you can guard your heart today?
2. What have you learned from this study, and how will you put it into practice today?