OUR POLLUTION PROBLEM

There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all. – Robert Orben

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. – MATTHEW 5:8

The problem
In Romans 7, Paul exclaims, “What a wretched man I am! Who will set me free from this body of death?” Can you relate to this? Our sin nature is ever-present, constantly tempting us to do what we know we shouldn’t. If we are honest with ourselves – like Paul was in Romans 7 – then we’ve got a real pollution problem. Instead of a pure heart, we have a tainted one.

Scripture shows us that sin hinders our ability to see God – to see where He’s leading us, what His plan is for us, what He wants to teach us, and how He’s answering our prayers (or why He’s not).

The cleanup
If we want to see clearly the life God has for us, we have to deal with our pollution problem. Here’s how:

Step 1: Stop polluting the heart with sin.

• What kind of company do you keep?
• What kind of jokes do you laugh at?
• What kind of movies do you watch?
• What websites do you visit?

Step 2: Ask God’s help in dealing with the remnants of pollution already in your heart.

• Is there a resentment or unforgiveness you need to deal with?
• Is there something you need to confess or apologize for?

Step 3: Take in what is true, noble, right and pure.

• Spend time in God’s Word.
• Plug into a small group committed to strengthening you in your faith.
• Take a personal prayer retreat every so often to spend uninterrupted time with God.

Think and pray
Maintaining a pure heart requires commitment and discipline that won’t always come easy. The good news is that God offers His help if we will reach out and take it. And He’s placed men and women around you who will come alongside you if you ask them.

Lord, today I confess that I’ve allowed my schedule, my priorities and my pursuit of what feels right to cloud my vision of You. Forgive my pride and renew a right spirit in me, that I may desire and discern Your will in my life. Amen!

Brent Vawter is a recovering marketing professional, having spent the last half of his 30-year career as a specialist-for-hire to a good number of Fortune 100 companies. He now serves as an Area Director for CBMC in Oklahoma City, helping men to grow in their relationship with Christ and doing the same for others. He's a husband, father, grace addict, mountain goat, and cheap coffee drinker who badly wants to be a contestant on one of the survivalist reality shows. (Anyone have connections?!)