Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
—Matthew 5:8
“Who may stand in [God’s] holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Ps 24:3, 4).
Jesus said, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person” (Mt 15:19–20). So, “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prv 4:23).
Achieving perfection of this beatitude is unattainable, but pursuing it isn’t: “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). “Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit” (2 Cor 7:1).
Say “Amen” to this prayer: “Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Ps 51:10).
Purer in heart, O God, Help me to be;
That I Thy holy face one day may see.
A pure heart makes for a good night’s sleep.