You Can Avoid Sinning

By Bob Myhan

There are those, even among our brethren, who teach that man cannot keep from sinning. Others think a Christian cannot sin, and do not guard against temptation. David, however, not only knew that he could sin but that he could keep from sinning.

¹¹ Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! (Psalm 119:11)

Charles Spurgeon said that Psalm 119:11 mentions “the best thing in the best place for the best purpose!” (Treasury of David)

Of course, David did, indeed, sin in committing adultery with Bathsheba and in conspiring to have her husband killed in battle. He also sinned when he took an unauthorized census of Israel. But sin was not characteristic of David. God called him “a man after My own heart.” (Acts 13:22)

The Bible does teach that some “cannot cease from sin” (2 Peter 2:14) but it does not affirm this of everyone.

Jesus, Himself, told at least two people to “sin no more.”

¹⁴ Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." (John 5:14)

¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" ¹¹ She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:10-11)

Now, did Jesus ever give a command that could not be obeyed? Surely, it was possible for these two to “sin no more.” And if it was possible for them, it is possible for anyone who hides God’s word in his heart.

“But,” someone may be asking, “How do I hide God’s word in my heart?”

First, by “heart,” is meant your spiritual heart—the center of your spiritual being. Just as your physical heart has four chambers, your spiritual heart has four distinct natures—intellectual (Matt. 9:4), emotional (Lev. 19:17), ethical (1 John 3:19-21) and volitional (2 Cor. 9:6-7). Intellectually, it is the mind. Ethically, it is the conscience. Volitionally, it is the will. There does not seem to be a distinct name for the heart in its emotional nature.

There are six necessary steps to hiding God’s word in your heart.

1.      You must desire to understand it (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Thess. 2:10-12).

2.      You must strive to understand it (2 Tim. 2:15; Eph. 5:17);

3.      You must grasp its power (Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12; Psalm 19:7);

4.      You must hold it dear for its value (Psalm 119:105,161);

5.      You must store it up in your consciousness (John 8:32; Luke 4:1-12);

6.      You must apply it to your life (James 1:22-25; Luke 6:46).

One might also ask, “How will God’s word enable me to sin no more?” We will answer this question in the next Faith Builder. &

"Protect Your Heart"

By Alan Dvorak

Heart problems. Those two words can send chills down our spine. We know that the condition of our heart can impact both the quality and length of our lives. A weak heart can severely restrict our activities and perhaps can even indicate a shortened life span. Fortunately, medical science has made tremendous advances in the care and prevention of cardiovascular problems. Conditions which a couple of generations ago would have been certain death sentences are now treatable, allowing people to resume most or all of their normal activities.

Nevertheless, a person can be in wonderful physical condition with a strong cardiovascular system and yet be in danger. His physical heart may be in great shape, but he may have a serious problem with his spiritual heart. What is the spiritual heart? Often the Bible refers to the mind of man as his "heart" rather thane the muscle which pumps blood through his body. A man thinks or reasons in his heart (Mk. 2:6-8). He believes with his heart (Rom. 10:10) and he speaks from the "treasury" of his heart (Matt. 12:34, 35). The Biblical heart is not just the seat of emotions; it is where man wills, where his conscience is found. Sin finds its origin in the heart of man (Mk. 7:21).

One of the most serious spiritual heart problems which man can suffer is "hardening of the heart." Hardening of the heart is actually a process in which the heart becomes progressively less receptive to certain stimuli. The person afflicted often does not want to listen to divine truth. Sometimes the ability to understand or perceive spiritual things is diminished (Mk. 6:52; Matt. 13:15). Do we still have ears to hear ... or have our hearts slowly become calloused to the story of the sacrificial love of the Son of God? "Keep your heart with all diligence..." (Prov. 4:23).

In the parable of the soils, the wayside ground was hardened by the feet of the people who walked on it (Matt. 13:3-9). When the seed, the Word of God, falls on this soil, it lies on the hardened surface and cannot penetrate. This soil represents the person whose heart has been hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13), ritualistic religion or even the humanist philosophies of men (e.g. evolution). This person hears the gospel, but is not receptive to the message. Jesus said that Satan comes and snatches the seed away.

With out physical hearts, often the first warning sign that we recognize is a minor heart attack. Unfortunately, many people with spiritual heart problems never do recognize their condition! Just as with the physical heart, it is prudent to have a "periodic check-up" on the condition of the spiritual heart. How receptive are we to the teaching of the Bible? Do we turn away from truth because it does not match what we want to do with our lives? The person with a spiritual heart problem needs to visit the Great Physician. & (Needmore church of Christ, Haleyville, AL, June 7, 2009)

Respect for God’s Authority

By Paul Smithson

The standard of what is acceptable in religion for many is whether it satisfies the individual. Many “shop” for a religion that meets their personal preferences, treating the Scriptures as a salad bar—picking things they like and passing over others. Many declare satisfaction with the course they have chosen in religion without ever considering the question, “Is God satisfied with my religion?” The whole conclusion is not, serve God as you please, but “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Eccl. 12:13). Our purpose in daily activities and in worship should be to strive to please God. Those who truly seek to serve God will not be satisfied until they do this. We must be willing to test our practices and beliefs to see if they agree with the Scriptures.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves (2 Cor. 13:5).

The only way to please God in all that we do is to follow His revealed will—to simply read and study the Scriptures and follow them in all we do, not adding to them or taking away (2 John 9; Deut. 4:2). Those who fail to do this lack respect for the authority of God as Lord and Master. The inspired apostle declared, “And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord” (Col. 3:17). To “do all in the name of the Lord” means to respect the authority of the Lord in everything. We must have God’s authority for all that we do and that authority must be established from the Scriptures, for it is there that God has revealed His will for us.

So, our personal morality, conduct, religious beliefs and things practiced in worship must be based on book, chapter and verse. One may be satisfied with the manner in which they live and worship, while God may not be, making life and worship worthless before the Lord, as Jesus warned (Matt. 15:8,9).

Therefore, let us search the Scriptures to establish authority for all that we believe and practice showing respect for God’s authority. [From The Collegevue Beacon] &