Today we continue our series entitled, “Back to the Bible,” with Part 2: Hiding God’s Word in our heart. I am very excited about this series. The response I received yesterday was strong. I truly believe this series is going to be a blessing to people all over the world.
As a new believer, I wanted desperately to walk worthy of my new relationship with Jesus, and especially of HIs investment in me. Since I was going around telling everyone that I was “now” a Christian, I sincerely wanted to avoid sin. I wanted my ‘audio’ (what I was saying) and my ‘video’ (what I was doing) to match. Before I gave my life to Jesus, I cursed all day long. As a new believer, I tried my best not to curse. I actually went a few days without saying a curse word. I thought I was doing well, but I remember the day I allowed a curse word to slip from out of my lips, after being Born-Again. I was devastated. I wanted to represent Jesus well, but I realized that it was going to take work. I had received 23 years of programming to get me the point where I was, and changing was not going to be an overnight process.
My friend and mentor, Leo Jacobs, told me about Psalm 119:11. He said that by hiding God’s Word in my heart, I could position myself to avoid sin. I will share verses 9-11 of this Psalm with you in both the King James and Easy to Read versions. This is what King David said:
(Psalm 119:9-11 King James Version)
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
(Psalm 119:9-11 Easy to Read Version)
How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your word. I try with all my heart to serve you. Help me obey your commands. I study your teachings very carefully so that I will not sin against you.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. You do not come to God with a clean-slate. The day you are Born-Again, your new self has years of negative and worldly programming to contend with. In many ways, you must be deprogrammed from the world and reprogrammed to think and act like God. This is where the Word of God comes in. The Bible contains God’s character, attributes and nature. The more Word you know, the more you actually know God. The more you learn God’s ways, the more acquainted you become with the God who created you. The more you know your creator, the more you will know YOURSELF. Once you know yourself — your true self, the self God called you to be — you are in position to leave the mark in this world you were born to make.
2. The day you are Born-Again you have salvation, but you don’t truly know the God of your salvation. The more you learn the Word of God, the more you will get to know the God of the Word.
3. The purpose of studying the Bible is not for you to quote scriptures, win debates or excel in Bible trivia. The purpose of studying the Bible is so you can get to know God. The more you know Him, the more you can live like Him in this world.
4. The Bible is not a textbook to study, it is a life-book to live. When you read the Bible you must do so with the intent of turning the corner from information to application. The more you learn, and the more your learning turns into living, the more your life will actually become a representation of Jesus’ life in this world.
5. The more God-conscious you are, the less sin-conscious you will be. Once you get to this state, you will not be sinless (because no one is perfect), but you will SIN LESS!
6. When you fill your heart with the Word of God, you will find that God’s Word will shape your character and drive your conduct. At that point, sin will no longer be an issue for you. You won’t struggle to avoid sin, because you will be too busy living as Jesus is, in this world. Living the life God called you to live, starts with getting His Word down in your heart.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I fully expect to experience Your best in 2018. I know You are committed to Your part. I am committed to mine. I hide Your Word down in my heart, that I may not sin against thee. I meditate and medicate on Your Word day and night. Your Word shapes my character. Your Word is the foundation for my conduct. Your Word is the ruler by which I judge every decision. I live a life pleasing in Your sight, because I live in accordance with your Word. Living this way, I will leave a mark in this world that will still be felt generations after I am gone. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
