We face a barrage of attacks from the world, our own fleshly desires, and the devil. The Psalmist understood the severity of the battle and he also realized the key to victory:

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

This is the question we must ask ourselves. Too many people look back at their lives with deep regret because they did not keep their way according to God’s word. The Hebrew word keep means to carefully watch over and be on one’s guard. This is the picture of a vigilant military sentinel keeping watch. If we are to keep our way according to God’s word, then we must know God’s word. The Psalmist had a deep longing to know God and His word:

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

Our desire to know God motivates us to live according to His commandments. Knowledge and desire are insufficient to keep our way pure – God’s word must direct our thoughts and emotions to influence our behavior. The next verse gives us the key:

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

The word treasure conveys the idea of storing something of great value for a definite purpose. The word heart refers to one’s inner being that comprises our mind, emotions, and will. When God’s word is in my heart, I will seek to do His will rather than follow my fleshly desires. We learn that the Bible will keep us from sin, or sin will keep us from the Bible.

The world, our fleshly desires, and the devil conspire against us to keep us from following God. We must discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness:

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; (1 Timothy 4:7)

We must train ourselves to be godly. Archilochus reminds us, “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training.” It’s difficult to overcome temptation if you have not trained yourself to be godly. We treasure God’s word when we take the time to read and reflect upon His word. Next, we must commit His word to memory – this can move God’s word from a conscious awareness to our subconscious. Finally, as we meditate upon God’s word it influences our entire being. We find that our default response is to respond in the Spirit rather than the flesh.

This takes time, concentration, and discipline. You either pay the price of discipline or regret. You will discover however, that the price of regret is far greater than the price of discipline. May we follow the path of discipline by treasuring God’s word within our hearts.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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