Create in me...

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10  Some versions use the word "pure" in place of clean. Clean, by definition, means "free from dirt, marks, or stains." Pure means, "free of any contamination; not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material." Today this Psalm spoke boldly to me. It tells me I am not capable of keeping my heart clean. I need God to do so. 
Lately, I've been someone so dark and angry and hateful, that I don't even recognize myself. Road rage, judgement, and unrighteous anger against God's children. Yesterday, while driving home, I actually told God, "I can't believe you love all these jerks! People are a**holes!" And that's when I remembered I am to love my enemy, reflect His light, and grow His kingdom. With such darkness in my heart, there is no way I can accomplish what I've been created for. So I need God to clean my heart, because from the heart comes thoughts, from thoughts, words, and from words, actions. 
Colossians 3:2 tells us, "set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This is one step in cleansing my heart. This life is polluted. This life will scar everyone. It's always a choice on how we respond. If my mind is set on God and His mission, then I have the power of heaven to help me respond in a non-worldly way. If I set my mind on social media, headlines, or even office gossip, I am choosing to set my mind on earthly things. Satan will manipulate us any way he can. So, today if you have anger, angst, ill will toward others, know it is not of God your father. You know the feeling. It's a darkness that builds inside you, from your heart, elevates your blood pressure, and ruins what few breaths you have left. Pray boldly Psalm 51:10 out loud, and Satan will flee. This is a war zone, armor up!