pure heart – Refining [Spiritual Growth]

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

By definition, to focus means concentrating your attention or energy on a specific task, or to center your interest on a singular point.

When the Apostle Paul penned the third chapter of Colossians, he had this exact definition in mind. He didn’t just suggest a casual glance toward heaven; he commanded an intentional alignment of our internal compass when he wrote: “Set your hearts… set your minds…”

It’s been said that the way we think molds the way we live. Paul challenges all believers to arrest our human thoughts and bring them under God’s absolute authority. He urges us to place our emphasis on “things above” rather than the fleeting, exhausting ways of this world. In fact, by verse five, Paul gets incredibly practical, essentially telling us that everything earthly and sinful within us needs to be kicked to the curb.

My 11-Month Journey with a God Word: FOCUS

For the past eleven months, God has given me a single word: FOCUS.

While I thought I had a pretty good grasp on why He assigned this word to me, it wasn’t until I deeply studied this passage in Colossians that its full meaning finally clicked for my heart and mind. God didn’t just give me a word; He gave me a framework.

Two supporting scriptures completely solidified this for me:

1. The Mind Shift (Romans 12:2) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

This verse helped me realize that focus isn’t a temporary New Year’s resolution or a 365-day challenge to be completed and forgotten. It is an intentional, ongoing lifestyle. God is inviting me—and all of us—into a lifetime journey of nurturing His plan through daily prayer, deep study, and the active application of His Word until eternity calls us home. It is a daily, moment-by-moment choice to focus on Him alone.

2. The Thought Filter (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Talk about a divine checklist for our focus! God lays it out perfectly: we are called to fixate on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable according to His standards.

Practically, this means actively choosing to ignore the office gossip, silencing the worst-case scenario thinking, and rejecting the falsehoods of our culture. It means clinging tightly to biblical reality. I have to intentionally spend my mental energy on things that carry dignity, respect, and integrity. Anything else is just wasted energy—and if I’m honest, I have wasted tons of it over the years.

Philippians continues to convict my heart, reminding me to act in accordance with high moral principles and to value people by treating them with genuine fairness.

To take this a step further, I’ve had to learn to let go of malicious or unwholesome thinking. The minute a toxic, fearful, or bitter thought enters my mind, I have to recognize it, speak directly to it, and reject it in the authority of Christ.

My Prayer: I pray that over time, God will create in me a clean heart as I intentionally strive to direct my mind toward wholesome motives, stepping entirely outside of my fleshy desires.

Finally, focusing on what is lovely and admirable goes hand in hand with what 1 Corinthians teaches us: Let love lead! When we focus on things that draw out the fruit of the Spirit, we naturally begin to dwell on things that are praiseworthy, reputable, and inspiring.

Wow. Thank You, Lord, for sanctification—this beautiful, lifelong journey of refining. I truly need God’s help to fix my mind on the Holy Spirit and to stop relying on my own fragile human nature. As I continue to surrender my mind to Him and allow Him to renew it, my prayer is that I can better understand, accept, and boldly walk out His perfect will for my life.

Over to You…

What about you? When you read Colossians 3:1-2, what is the Holy Spirit stirring in your own heart and mind today? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!

**Tribute to Diane Reid**
*One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.* Proverbs 18:24

When I think about friendship, my thoughts immediately go to the song You’ve Got a friend in Me by Randy Newman and Lyle Lovett. The lyrics exemplify the definition of a true friend who “sticks closer than a brother” for me. You know, the person who knows your quirks and flaws yet, loves you anyway. Those who protect your head and heart by caring about your feelings and guarding their words because of their admiration for you.

Proverbs extends words of wisdom regarding friendship in numerous ways. I love how it delivers prevention methods to keep us from being a toxic friend. As I have been reading and studying the chapters, I have had to accept many corrective words. Ouch! – my toes have definitely endured some agony. However, God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s promptings opened my eyes to several means which warrant being a noble and wholesome friend. Let me share a couple with you.

Your Lips: Yes, as lovely as they can be, they can release lethal poison. Proverbs 10:19-20 reminds us to be cautious with our words and double check to see if they are beneficial and worthy. Proverbs 12:17-23 heeds direction to utter kindness yet, be cautious in the overall flapping of the lips.

We find in the first few verses of Chapter 13 a promise of blessings for those using wise speech and pleasant words. But what about those times when provoking situations occur? Truth – they happen even in the best of friendships. Proverbs 14:29 reveals the solution is to restrain the lips and exhibit self-control over our responses. Proverbs 15:1 portrays this as having a soft reply and avoid harshness at all costs.

Then there is gossip. Yuck – the destruction it brings. Passing on all those juicy morsels and having no regard for someone’s reputation. It stems from a need to elevate self. Somehow it tends to capsulate half-truth, hearsay, etc. We can even become entangled in the web without initiating it.

Be on guard with your lips. Let your words speak life. Prepare to listen more and truly hear what others express. Make good use of your lip actions, avoid gossip, and be a friend indeed.

Your Heart: Have you ever found your heart to be in the wrong place? Self-centered living is an easy path to stumble upon. Proverbs 14:12 reveals that our “self-righteous” living may even be deceiving in its blessings because it is not sustainable. The truth is – it is a heart matter.

Luke 6:45 reminds us to guard our heart for the primary purpose of staying pure for God. We have to be mindful of what penetrates our heart and be very intentional to keep our focus on living for God and bringing Him glory, not ourselves. Proverbs 14:30 encourages us to have a “sound heart” because it generates “life to the body”. When embracing this lifestyle, we will be a friend who does not entertain a deceptive, harden heart and can offer love and goodness with the right motives.

Although there are numerous ways to produce great friend qualities, these two areas are primary issues that can make or break a relationship. Our motives and mouths can create excellence for His glory, but it requires discipline and righteousness of the Lord.

So, what does it really boil down to? A choice to love at all times regardless (Proverbs 17:17a) and to accept correction for our overall behavior for a lifetime. Not an easy decision but rewarding results – being “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” and receiving the same. A worthy blessing bringing pleasure to God.

Tag: pure heart

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