In Psalm 51:10, David petitions God to "create in me a clean heart." How David longed again to be set right with God after his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. David, the man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), had allowed sin to separate him from his Heavenly Father (Isaiah 59:1-2). How could David once again be restored to the faithful? How do we likewise cleanse our hearts?

The first way to cleanse our hearts and keep them pure is to take heed to the word of God. In Psalm 119:9, the psalmist asks the question, "How can a young man cleanse his way?" The answer given in the same verse is "By taking heed according to your word." Paul in writing to Timothy urged him to take heed to the doctrine and to continue in them. (1 Timothy 4:16). Peter understood that Jesus had the words that lead to eternal life (John 6:68). The powerful word of God provides all that we need to make us complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We cleanse our hearts by removing ourselves from sin. David prayed that he might be purged with hyssop and be cleansed (Psalm 51:7). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to pluck out our right eye if it causes us to sin (Matthew 5:29-30). We are to choose our friends wisely (1 Corinthians 15:33). We are to take care in where we go. We are taught not be ensnared in the sins of the world (Hebrews 12:1). We are not to have friendship with the world (James 4:4).

We cleanse our hearts by being submissive. We are to give ourselves over to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5). Christ being the perfect example of humility submitted to the will of God even though it cost Him life itself. James teaches that "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Jesus requires daily self-denial and submission to Him (Luke 9:23). We can not have a clean heart without submitting to the all-powerful God of the universe.

We cleanse our hearts through heart felt prayers. We, like David, need to pray to God. If we draw close to God, He will draw close to us (James 4:8). Jesus spent time alone in prayer (Luke 6:12). We are to continue steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is powerful (James 5:16). Our prayers should be personal.

We cleanse our hearts by teaching the gospel to others. In Psalm 51:15, David prayed that God would "open his lips" that he might declare God to others. Jesus gave us the command to preach the gospel to all the world (Mark 16:15). If we are busy teaching others the gospel message, we should not have time to fill our lives with evil thoughts and activities. In teaching others the doctrine of Christ, we give them the opportunity for eternal life. We also strengthen ourselves by being prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15).

Do we, like David, have a desire to have a clean heart? If so, are we willing to do what it takes to cleanse our hearts? David recognized the error of his sins and was willing to repent of them. Are we willing to do the same? We should all pray to God for a clean heart