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

So I've had this tattoo for about eight months now... and surprisingly enough, I've actually never really gotten the chance to explain it to anybody. The most I get is obviously asking what it says, but never what it means. Unfortunately the best photo I have of it on me is my Native American costume photo seen above since I'm sitting with my shoulders leveled and a strapless dress, hahaha but it does justice.

So I'm going to do my best to explain what this tattoo means both Biblically and personally.

First off I chose the left side of my chest because I figured I wouldn't have much to worry about over time because it's in an area that doesn't really get wrinkles on my body. I also like this area because 90% of the time I can just let it peek out but not completely flaunt it. It's still a conservative area, and because only less than half of it shows 90% of the time, people around me tend to get curious and that's always a nice conversation starter. But most importantly I chose this location because the verse is about the heart and the location is right above my heart. It's both a personal reminder of how I try to live my life and a public declaration of my faith in Christ for those around me.

It is Jesus' own words from the Sermon on the Mount. Another verse that goes hand in hand with this one would be Psalm 24:3-5 which reads "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, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior."

So what does it mean to be "pure in heart?" Or to make it a little easier, let's start off with defining impurity with the world vs the definition of purity with God.

When you have an impure heart, you have impure motives. You have selfish qualities, possibly perversion, tainted thoughts/decisions, and simply a lifestyle that does not seek God. Even the Bible says that the human heart is wicked. ("The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9)

When you have a pure heart, you have selfless motives and rely on the sanctification of Christ to keep oneself pure. Note that I say rely on His sanctification and not on our own hands (like them impure folk). Yet, since we are sinful beings, it is only natural that our hearts are in a fallen, impure state. But that is exactly why Christ has freed and redeemed us. To aim for purity of heart is to seek God's heart, for the world is filled with impurity yet Jesus was completely innocent, blameless, and purified. It's not a set of rules and regulations of how to change society, but instead, pursuing God single-mindedly.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" ....

... God blesses you when you faithfully seek for purity of heart, because you are seeking His heart. To see God is to know God and His ways of faithfulness, and to pursue abstinence from a tainted world.