When Nathan confronted David with his guilt relative to his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, David prayed (Psalms 51:10):

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” 

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O God.

David did not need a physical heart transplant; but he desperately needed a clean Bible heart. 

The Bible heart is identified by what it is said to do.

  • The Bible heart thinks (Proverbs 23:7). It reasons (Mark 2:8). It understands (Matthew 13:15). It believes (Romans. 10:10.). This is intellect. 
  • The Bible heart loves (Matthew 22:37). This is emotion.  
  • The Bible heart obeys (Romans 6:17-18). This is will power.
  • The Bible heart judges (1 John 3:20-21). This is conscience.

A clean heart is necessary for one to see God (Matthew 5:8). But how does one get a clean heart? Peter answers: “God put no difference between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles), purifying their heart by faith (Acts 15:9). But it is not by faith only; if so, even the devils would have pure hearts (James 2:19). It is a faith that obeys in  love (Galatians 5:6).  It is a faith that obeys by faith in baptism in the Name of Jesus (Acts 2:38). It is a faith that keeps one penitent and serving. As we leave this point, let me emphasize it says “create in me a clean heart”.

RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT IN ME. 

The right spirit thinks on things that honest, true, pure, just, lovely and of good report (Philippians 4:8). A right spirit brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).  A right spirit hates evil with the same passion with which it loves truth (Psalms 119:128). In short; a right spirit does whatever it does in the Name of Christ. (Colossians 3:17).

CAST ME NOT AWAY FROM THY PRESENCE.

The way to effectively pray this can pretty well be summed up in three points.  Draw nigh to God (James 4:8).  Keep one’s body in subject to the will of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:27). Abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9).  

RENEW UNTO ME THE JOY OF THY SALVATON.

Some members have no real joy in God’s salvation. This is the reason for unfaithfulness. It takes no coaxing to get one to do that which he enjoys. Rejoice is an oft-repeated command. Rejoice always (Philippians 4:4). Rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12). Rejoice in Christ (Philippians 3:3). When we delight in the law of the Lord, we will be faithful (Romans 7:22; Psalms 1:1-2).

Now let us notice verse 13:

“Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee”

When David got these things right, he would be in position to teach others effectively.  So will we be. But let us be sure that we teach are “Thy” ways,” not my ways or the ways of any other source.

The church was started by teaching God’s ways, and it can only be kept pure by teaching God’s ways.

Jesse Jenkins