How Can A Young Man
Keep
His Way Pure?
(Psalms 119:9-16)
When the temptation to sin creeps into our lives, I’m sure most of us have wondered, “How can I keep myself pure?” This very question was presented, and answered, by King David in Psalm 119:9-16. Here, David gives several answers to this question. Lets notice the first 5 things that David determined to do that helped him stay pure.
1. His simple answer to the question was: “By guarding it according to Your word” (v. 9). A guard is alert and watchful. They stand in the way to keep harm from entering or sometimes from getting out. David said we must guard our way, not according to our own plans, but according to God’s word.
2. “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!” (v. 10). In order to keep your way pure, you must seek God wholeheartedly. When your whole heart is set on something, it affects every aspect of your life. Your simplest decisions are made with that object in mind. When we seek God wholeheartedly we won’t wander from His commandments.
3. “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (v. 11). Here, David stressed the importance of learning God’s word…so that you can always keep His ways on your mind. The more time and devotion that we give to Bible study, the closer we will be to becoming people after “God’s own heart” like David was (Acts 13:22). When the Word in our hearts, and not just on the pages of our Bibles, it becomes harder for us to sin against God.
4. “Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!” (v. 12). If you want to keep your way pure, it is necessary for you to desire to know and obey God’s commands. You can’t be like a kid who says “as long as I don’t learn all the rules, I’m not responsible for following them.” We must love God enough that we long to sit at His feet and learn.
5. “With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth” (v. 13). You’ll keep your life pure when God and His word are so important to you that you will be compelled to tell others about them. When you long to tell others of God’s love in the same way you long to tell them about your most prized possessions, you will be on your way to leading a pure life.
6. “Our testimonies I delight as much as in all riches” (v. 14). What is your delight…what do you get more joy from than anything else? Hearing from God, through His word, ought to bring us as much excitement as hearing from a beloved friend or loved one. Nothing should bring us more joy than reading the Bible…our message from our creator.
7. “I will meditate on your precepts...” (v. 15). When you get a moment to stop and think, what is it that you think about? Do you ever meditate on God’s word that you’ve hidden in your heart? Doing this will help you to keep your way pure.
8. “[I will] fix my eyes on your ways” (v. 15). Are your eyes “fixed” on God’s ways? Do you keep your eyes from viewing things that will distract you from serving Him? Job said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes…” Have you? Your thoughts and the things you look at can be hidden from others, but not from God.
9. “I will delight in your statutes;” (v. 16). The word “delight” in this passage literally means “I will skip about and jump for joy” (Adam Clarke's Commentary). So, to keep yourself pure, God’s commands must become a source of joy and happiness. When this happens you won’t be likely to forget your commitment to God.
10 Finally, David stated, “…I will not forget your word” (v. 16). This statement almost seems unnecessary in light of his other words. When we grow to love God the way we should…when His word becomes as much a part of our hearts as our own thoughts…when our minds, our eyes, and our actions all reflect His will, it will be next to impossible for us to forget His word. His word will be part of us.
Are you longing to make your soul and your way of life pure? “Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Are you a Christian who has been heading down a path of impurity? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
- - - - Darrell Powell