The Sixth Key to Happiness: A Pure Heart

This article marks the sixth installment in our ongoing series, “The Keys to Happiness,” which explores the timeless wisdom found in the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Each “key” reveals a different aspect of true, lasting joy — not as the world defines it, but as God intended.

This week, we turn our attention to the sixth key: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

In these few words, Jesus points us toward a deeper kind of purity — one that shapes our thoughts, our motives, and the clarity of our spiritual vision. This Beatitude invites you to pause, look in the mirror, and reflect on what it means to see God with a pure heart.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “We all have a God-shaped hole in our hearts”? The thought comes from the writings of Blaise Pascal, the 17th-century Christian philosopher, who said: “This infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words, by God Himself” (Pensées, 1670).

That “hole” will fill with something in your lifetime—so let it be something that brings everlasting happiness. 

When Jesus spoke the Beatitudes on a hillside near Galilee (often called the Sermon on the Mount) in Matthew 5, He gave us a picture of true happiness—not the shallow kind the world offers, but the deep joy that comes from God. One of His statements was: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Another way we can read this is: “Happy are the pure in heart.”

Why Are the Pure in Heart Happy?

Does this mean those who are not pure in heart are never happy? Not exactly. People without God can experience temporary happiness, but it’s fragile and fleeting. It’s like drinking salt water—it looks like it will satisfy your thirst, but the more you drink, the thirstier you become. The happiness from possessions, status, or pleasure fades, leaving the heart emptier than before. 

Jesus tells us that those with pure hearts are happy because they have an unbroken relationship with God. Purity of heart means having no hidden motives, no divided loyalties, and no masks before God. It is sincerity, honesty, and single-minded devotion to Him.

The psalmist David wrote: “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” (Psalm 24:3-4). Happiness comes because a pure heart sees God clearly—not blurred by sin, guilt, or selfishness.

For They Shall See God

What does it mean to “see God”? Part of this blessing is for now: when our hearts are cleansed, we begin to see God’s hand at work in our daily lives here on Earth.

We see His goodness, His beauty in creation, His faithfulness in answered prayers. But the fullness of this promise is in eternity. In Revelation 22:4, describing the New Heaven and New Earth, it says of believers: “They will see His face.” The pure in heart will one day see God face to face in eternal joy. Think about that and consider the alternative...

How Does a Person Become Pure in Heart?

No one can make themselves pure by their own effort. Scripture is plain: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

The only way our hearts can be made pure is through God’s work in us. David cried out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Purity comes when we confess our sins, turn from them, and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Can Someone Become Pure in Heart Later in Life?

Absolutely. No matter how old a person is, or how far they have lived from God, the invitation still stands. Jesus said, “Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away” (John 6:37). The word “repent” literally means “to turn”—to turn from sin and self and turn toward God. An older person who has lived without Christ can repent, believe in Jesus, and receive a new heart. Ezekiel 36:26 promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”

Differences Between Pure and Impure Hearts

A person with an impure heart may live for appearances and project happiness while inside they carry bitterness, pride, or selfishness. They might act generous but only for recognition or speak kindly while secretly harboring hate.

By contrast, someone pure in heart lives with sincerity. They forgive, even when it’s hard. They show kindness without expecting repayment. Their words and actions match what’s in their heart, and they seek God’s approval more than man’s.

When Can a Person Say They Are Pure in Heart?

Being pure in heart is not so much a one-time event as it is a new life that begins with salvation and continues as a way of living. When a person believes in Jesus and receives forgiveness, their heart is cleansed. Baptism is an outward sign of this inward change, but the purity comes from God’s grace, not the water itself. Purity of heart is both a gift we receive at salvation and a lifestyle we continue to walk in as we grow closer to Christ.

An Invitation to Purity of Heart

If you have never trusted Jesus, now is the time. Eternity is a long time, and you do not want to spend it separated from God. The Bible says: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Evangelists in the 19th and 20th centuries popularized what is called the “Sinner’s Prayer.” The words themselves are not found in the Bible, but the heart of it is biblical: repent (turn) from sin, believe in Jesus, and call on Him to save you (Romans 10:13).

If you are ready, you can pray something like this right now:

“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I ask You to forgive me. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust You and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.”

If you prayed that sincerely, God has promised to forgive you, cleanse your heart, and give you eternal life. You now belong to Him. And one day, you will see God face to face — and for that reason you can be one of the happiest people on earth. 

Can I get an "Amen?"

 

 

 

 

I’m Lauren—a writer, educator, and novelty quilter with over 30 years of experience in service and sales. I’ve taught high school English, worked as a journalist, and now run Artisan Shop USA, a marketplace supporting handmade artistry and the sharing of faith, family, and country. I’m also a wife, mom, and lifelong lover of storytelling.