Clean Hands and a Pure Heart
Adapted from Daily Devotions from Psalms
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
Do you know that it is possible to have clean hands, yet not have a pure heart? We may do many good works but with a wrong motive. Jesus instructs us not to give to help others or to pray hoping that people will see and admire us (Matthew 6:3–5). If affirmation or applause is our motive, we will lose our reward from God.
Jesus strongly rebuked the Pharisees who did all the right works according to the law but wouldn’t lift a finger to help anyone (Matthew 23:1–32). Jesus also talked about people who will tell Him of all their good works, yet He will say, “I don’t know you” (Luke 13:27). Why we do what we do (our motive) is more important to the Lord than what we do. We may do good works, but if our motive is selfish in any way, then our heart is not right.
I encourage you to take time regularly to examine your motives and be aware of why you do what you do. Second Corinthians 13:5 teaches us to examine ourselves to make sure that we are “in the faith.” Everything we do should be done for God because we love Him and are in obedience to Him. Only then can we do it in faith. We should never examine ourselves and then become condemned if we recognize a wrong motive; we should simply repent and then do things God’s way.
Prayer of the Day: Father, I want to have clean hands and a pure heart. Help me recognize any impure motives I might have that I am unaware of. Thank You.
