The Markers of a Perfect Heart

It is possible to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart! God said to Abraham, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1, ASV).

David determined in his heart to obey this command and said, “I will behave wisely in a perfect way … I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psalm 101:2).

We see the Lord’s command to be perfect in the New Testament as well when Jesus said, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

Perfection does not mean a sinless, flawless heart. After all, David was said to have had a perfect heart toward God, yet he failed the Lord often. His list of sins included adultery and murder.

The basic definition of perfect is: completeness, maturity. In the Hebrew and Greek, the definition includes uprightness, being without spot, totally obedient. It also means to finish what is started: a complete performance.

The perfect heart is a responsive heart. It quickly and totally answers the Lord’s wooings, whisperings and warnings. This heart says at all times, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears. Show me the path and I will walk in it.” Christ commits himself to those who walk before him with a responsive, listening heart.

The perfect heart also wants the Holy Spirit to come and shine into the hidden parts; to expose all that is unlike Christ. This heart cries out with David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me” (Psalm 139:23-24).

As you share sweet fellowship with him, he will continually prepare you to come into his holy presence as a clean, pure vessel — creating in you a perfect heart.