False speaking will shut any man out of heaven, for a liar shall not enter into God's house, whatever may be his professions or doings. The Christian man's word is his only oath but that is as good as twenty oaths of other men. I heard an illustration once that I’m reminded of in this verse. " Does not swear deceitfully." The saints are men of honor still. He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. Does the world satisfy you? Then you have your reward and portion in this life make much of it, for you will know no other joy. Hands represent our behavior, the pattern of our outward actions. He who is content with husks will be reckoned with the swine. Clean hands and a pure heart will always characterize the humble. The worldling lifts up his soul in carnal delights, which are mere empty vanities but the saint loves more substantial things like Jehoshaphat, he is lifted up in the ways of the Lord. The man who is born for heaven " does not lift up his soul to what is false." All men have their joys by which their souls are lifted up. The pure in heart shall see God all others are but blind bats. The very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within.
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We may wash the outside of the cup and the plate as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves than our hands are. But " clean hands" will not suffice unless they are connected with " a pure heart." True religion is heart-work. If our hands are not clean, let us wash them in Jesus' precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God. It is to be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt if so, they will receive everlasting contempt at the last great day. Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace.