This is part two in some studies of Psalm 119.  In Matthew 15:8 (quoting Isaiah 29:13) Jesus said:  "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me."  The issue in living for Christ is the condition of our hearts.  That's why the Bible urges us to.

• Keep or watch over our heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23).

• Love God with all our heart (Matthew 22:37).

• Trust the Lord with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5).

• Walk before God with all our heart (1 Kings 2:4).

• Do God's will from the heart (Ephesians 6:6).

Since God knows our heart (Psalm 44:21) it is important we maintain a pure heart before the Lord.  How do we keep our lives clean?  The Psalmist tells us the key is the Word of God.

1. The Principle (v. 9)

How can we keep our lives pure?  By keeping our lives according to the Word of God.  It's not just talking about studying and knowing the Bible.  It is by...

• Obeying God's Word.

• Following God's standards.

1. Galatians 5:16-17.  The key to overcoming the desires of the flesh (listed in verses 19-21a) is walking or being controlled by the Holy Spirit. 

2. Ephesians 5:18/Colossians 3:16.  The key to being controlled by the Holy Spirit is the Word of God.

2.  The Problem (v. 10)

1. We neglect the reading and study of the Bible, or we approach it in a flippant or half-hearted manner.  The Psalmist sought the Lord wholeheartedly ("with all my heart").

2. We wander from God's commands.  Our natural bent is to wander away from the Word of God.  We know what it says, but we can't find.

• The time to deal with it.

• The courage to follow it.

3. The Place of Battle (v. 11a)

It is in your heart that you hide or treasure God's Word.  The reason many Christians have a difficult time keeping their lives clean or pure is because they are fighting the battle in the wrong place.  It is not going to happen from.

1. Some self-help program (behavior modification).  That's why the church needs to realize that people will not change through social programs or politics.

2. Simply confessing your sins or being religious ( Matthew 15:10-20). The Pharisees were concerned with externals.  Jesus was concerned with the heart.  The battle is won as we constantly are renewing the mind/heart with the Word of God.

4. The Purpose (v. 11b)

 

Our motivation for keeping the Word of God, hiding God's Word in my heart, is so that I will not sin against God.  A lot of Christians are not only fighting the battle in the wrong place, but they also have the wrong motivation.  I cannot consistently maintain a pure life if my motivation is to.

• Live a better life.

• Have a good reputation with others

• Get ahead in business or my career.

My motivation must be that I love God so much that it hurts me to sin against Him.

 

My Personal Response (vv. 12-16)

 

If this is going to happen in my life, I must have.

1. A desire to learn (v. 12).  "Teach me your statutes."  A statute is a principle to live by.

2. A delight in what God says (vv. 13-14, 16a).  Don't complain or see God's Word as a burden, but a delight, because it is ultimately for your good and God's glory.

3. A dedication to God's Word (vv. 15, 16b).

• Meditation; Memorization

• Don't forget what you learn. 

This takes time, study, and application (James 1:22-25).