Psalm 119:1-3
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, with 176 verses. Many of its verses are standalone, verses such as we find in Proverbs, so we may be here for at least a month or so.
We are to be people of integrity who follow after the instructions of the Lord. His instructions are found in the Bible, which means we must read it to know what He requires of us. There is great joy to be found in God’s ways, and life works much better when we are connected to the Source of life. This connection comes from not just knowing what the Bible says but from doing it. We say we believe in God, yet often we live however we please, which leads us into trouble. As the psalmist states, we are not to compromise with evil in its many forms but are to walk only in paths of righteousness.
My husband said something profound this past Sunday in church:
“People don’t want to live in the will of God, and yet they still expect God’s favor.”
Often, people get upset with God, not unlike Cain, when it seems that God has withheld His favor. In God’s words to Cain:
““Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.””
Genesis 4:6-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.4.6-7.NLT
So how do we recognize evil? We look to the Bible for its definition of evil.
Consider I Corinthians 6:9-10:
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.6.9-10.NLT
And 1 Timothy 1:8-11:
“We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.”
1 Timothy 1:8-11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1ti.1.8-11.NLT
Unfortunately, we seem to be living in a time where evil is seen as good and good is seen as evil. The only way to navigate this fog is to keep the Word of God close to our hearts. The Word of God is the lens through which we can see things for what they truly are. It will speak to us in moments of temptation and remind us of the right way—but we must choose to walk in it.
What we say and what we do such be in sync; otherwise, we are only fooling ourselves.
We are to be people of integrity who follow after the instructions of the Lord. His instructions are found in the Bible, which means we must read it to know what He requires of us. There is great joy to be found in God’s ways, and life works much better when we are connected to the Source of life. This connection comes from not just knowing what the Bible says but from doing it. We say we believe in God, yet often we live however we please, which leads us into trouble. As the psalmist states, we are not to compromise with evil in its many forms but are to walk only in paths of righteousness.
My husband said something profound this past Sunday in church:
“People don’t want to live in the will of God, and yet they still expect God’s favor.”
Often, people get upset with God, not unlike Cain, when it seems that God has withheld His favor. In God’s words to Cain:
““Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.””
Genesis 4:6-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.4.6-7.NLT
So how do we recognize evil? We look to the Bible for its definition of evil.
Consider I Corinthians 6:9-10:
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.6.9-10.NLT
And 1 Timothy 1:8-11:
“We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.”
1 Timothy 1:8-11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1ti.1.8-11.NLT
Unfortunately, we seem to be living in a time where evil is seen as good and good is seen as evil. The only way to navigate this fog is to keep the Word of God close to our hearts. The Word of God is the lens through which we can see things for what they truly are. It will speak to us in moments of temptation and remind us of the right way—but we must choose to walk in it.
What we say and what we do such be in sync; otherwise, we are only fooling ourselves.
Recent
Archive
2025
June
July
Psalm 94:1-6Psalm 94:7-11Psalm 94:12-15Psalm 94:16-19Psalm 94:20-23Psalm 95:1-5Psalm 95:6-11Psalm 96:1-6Psalm 96:7-10Psalm 96:11-13Psalm 97:1-9Psalm 97:10-12Psalm 98:1-3Psalm 98:4-9Psalms99:1-5Psalm 99:6-9Psalm 100:1-5Psalm 101:1-8Psalm 102:1-11Psalm 102:12-17Psalm 102:18-28Psalm 103:1-5Psalm 103:6-12Psalm 103:13-18Psalm 103:19-22Psalm 104:1-4Psalm 104.5-9Psalm 104:10-18Psalm 104:19-24Psalm 104:25-32Psalm 104:33-35
August
Psalm 105:1-6Psalm 105.7-15Psalm 105:16-22Psalm 105:23-28Psalm 105:29-37Psalm 105:38-45Psalm 106:1-3Psalm 106:4-12Psalm 106:13-18Psalm 106:19-23Psalm 106:28-33Psalm 106:34-39Psalm 106:40-48Psalm 107:1-9Psalm 107:10-16Psalm 107:17-22Psalm 107:23-32Psalm 107:33-38Psalm 107:39-43Psalm 108:1-6Psalm 108:7-13Psalm 109:1-7Psalm 109:8-14Psalm 109:15-25Psalm 109:26-31Psalm 110:1-7Psalm 111:1-6Psalm 111:7-8Psalm 111:9Psalm 111:10
Categories
no categories
No Comments