by Traci Bell
Berne, Indiana
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he mediate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:1-6).
In recent days, the Lord has led me to take a journey through the book of Psalms. The Lord is teaching me some ways to stay away from sin, and while I find this lesson is hard, it is so needful! Why the subject of sin? Sin is everywhere. We are naturally bent toward sin.When the world says, “If it feels good, do it” even though it is completely wrong, we have a tendency to try to fit the mold. We naturally want to “fit in” and have friends, but at what cost? We cannot serve two masters. We cannot have one foot in the world and one foot at the cross. So what side are you going to choose?
This was the question that the Lord asked me as I began this study. You see, I have had my own sin issues in the past, and sometimes they still rear their ugly head. In fact, just recently this has happened. I get so frustrated with my sin and become righteously angry when I fall, but I also face depression.
I can feel the oppression hanging over my head—not exactly the best frame of mind to be in at all. The book of Psalms has become a great source of comfort and peace to me, and by sharing this journey with you, I pray that you will also find great comfort.
So how can we be successful in staying away from sin? We need to be careful with whom we associate. Who are our friends? Psalm 1:1 tells us that we will be blessed:
1) When we do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly.
2) When we do not stand in the way of sinners.
3) When we do not sit in the seat of the scornful.
Remember what God said about serving two masters?
Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Psalm 1:2 explains where our delight should be: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
(This article is from the April 2024 issue of the Christian Womanhood magazine.)
When we make the Word of God our delight and we meditate on it day and night, there is no room left for sin to creep in and catch us unawares. What is the end result of making the Word of God our delight?
1) We will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.
2) We will bring forth fruit in our season.
3) Our leaf will not wither.
4) And whatever we do will prosper.
I do not know about you, but I want my life to prosper for the kingdom of God. So how can we prosper in the Christian life? Let me encourage you to read and meditate on God’s Word with a desire to get to know His heart. If you are fearful, doubtful, discouraged, depressed, or in despair, go to God’s Word! You will find that all the fears, doubts, discouragement, depression, and despair are traps that Satan wants to place in your way.
You will discover that God’s Word will melt all of that away and replace it with a peace that passes all understanding.“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
You will also desire more of God and less of worldly pleasures that only last for a moment. Sin will no longer have an appeal.
(This article is from the April 2024 issue of the Christian Womanhood Magazine.)
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