There are a number of strategies that we might pursue to avoid sin. We may try harder, put safeguards in place, and seek accountability. Although these tactics are helpful, they are inadequate. The heart of the problem is a problem of the heart. The Psalmist taught us we need to have heart surgery. He inquired how one might avoid sin and provided the answer:

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. (Psalm 119:9)

The author understood that the price of obedience to God’s word was far less than the pain of disobedience. This was the reason for his heart felt cry to God to walk in obedience:

With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. (Psalm 119:10)

As we journey through life, we have two teachers – wisdom and consequences. Wisdom teaches us the lesson before we make a mistake and consequences teaches us the lesson after we’ve made the mistake. Both of these teachers demands a price. Wisdom has the price on the front end – discipline, consistency, and obedience. Consequences however, exacts the price at the back end – regret, shattered dreams, and missed opportunities. Experience teaches us that the price of wisdom weighs much less than consequences. What is a way that we can gain wisdom? The next verse reveals the answer:

Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11)

God’s word is a source of wisdom. Here are some guidelines that may help you to hide God’s word in your heart:

1.         Choose a time and place where you can focus on memorizing the passage.

2.         Check the context carefully to make sure you understand the meaning and application of the verse.

3.         Read the passage out loud. Picture the the verse and read it slowly until you can repeat it confidently and without error.

4.         Break the passage down into a natural cadence of phrases.

5.         Repeat the reference often to help orient you to the verse’s biblical neighborhood. Say the reference “fore-n-aft” – before the verse and after the verse.

6.         Underline the words or phrases you stumble over to help you walk securely through the passage.

7.         Keep these three principles in mind:

Impression – make sure you see and hear each word of the verse

Association – relate the verse to your existing knowledge

Repetition – use spare moment throughout the day to review your verses

There’s no time like the present to get started.  Wisdom erects a fence at the top of the cliff and consequences builds a hospital at the bottom of the cliff. Allow God’s word to transform your life from the inside out. As Job journeyed through an extremely difficult time in his life, he realized the importance of God’s word:

I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23:12)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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