IS IT POSSIBLE TO AVOID SINNING?

Introduction: There are those, even among our brethren, who teach that man cannot keep from sinning. Others think they cannot sin, and do not guard against temptation.

David, however, not only knew that he might sin but that he could keep from sinning; and he knew how:

    “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).

Spurgeon said that this verse mentions the best thing—God's word—in the best place—my heart—for the best purpose—that I might not sin.

The heart is intellectual (Matt. 9:4; Mark 2:8), emotional (Lev. 19:17; 1 Peter 1:22), ethical (1 John 3:19-21) and volitional (Rom. 6:17; 2 Cor. 9:6-7) in nature.

To keep from sinning you must hide God’s word in your heart. “But,” someone asks, “How do I hide His word in my heart?”

1  Desire to understand the word of God (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Thess. 2:10-12).

2  Strive to understand the word of God (2 Tim. 2:15; Eph. 5:17).

3  Appreciate the power of the word of God (Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12; Psalm 19:7).

4  Hold the word of God in high esteem for its value (Psalm 119:105,161).

5  Store up the word of God in our memory (John 8:32; Luke 4:1-12).

6  Apply the word of God to our lives (James 1:22-25; Luke 6:46).

One might well ask, “How does the word of God keep me from sinning?”

1  The word of God imparts counsel concerning sin (Psalm 1:1-2).

2  The word of God warns of punishment for sin (Rom. 6:23).

3  The word of God makes promises for overcoming sin (James 1:12).

4  The word of God informs of God's love (Rom. 5:5; 1 John 4:9-10, 19; 5:3).

5  The word of God enjoins practical duties (Rom. 12:9-21).

6  The word of God communicates strength (Eph. 6:10-20).

Will we truly be able to keep from sinning?

Yes, this was the reason John wrote his first epistle (1 John 2:1).

Will we be able to perfectly keep from sinning?

Yes, if we perfectly apply these principles.