When Jesus and His disciples came to the Samaritan city of Sychar, the Lord sat down by the well which serviced that city. As He waited for the disciples, who had gone into the city to buy food, a woman of that city came out to draw water. He asked her to give Him a drink, and then engaged her in a spiritual discussion. The record of this event is found in Jn. 4:5-42.

As He often did, the Lord used a mundane part of daily life as a springboard to teach a spiritual lesson. In this case, it was His request for a drink of water. The woman was surprised that He, being a Jew, would dare to ask a Samaritan woman for a drink. Jews typically had no dealings with Samaritans, and teachers did not speak to women in public. Part of the Lord’s mission in coming to the earth, however, was to break down the barriers between races and classes by means of His sacrificial death on the cross (Eph. 2:14-16). His conversation with the Samaritan woman was a first step in bringing these barriers down.

When the woman expressed surprise that the Lord would ask her for a drink of water, He replied in terms of spiritual importance He said, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” (Jn. 4:10). The woman, as people often did, failed to grasp the Lord’s meaning. She supposed He was speaking about giving her water from the well at which He was sitting.

In the ancient world, the term “living water” was generally used to describe running water as opposed to standing water drawn from a cistern or well. Living water, in this sense, was considered superior because it came from a flowing source that would not be expected to run dry. Those who were so fortunate as to dig a well that struck an underground spring or river were deemed richly blessed.

The Lord, however, was not speaking about literal water. He was talking about eternal life. We see this in the next statement He made to the Samaritan woman, in vs. 13 & 14. He said, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” Even though the well in Sychar was deep and provided abundant water for the residents of that city, it was nothing compared to the gift the Lord would provide.

When Jesus went to the cross, the blood that He shed paid the price for the sins of the world from the beginning of time to the end of time. It was a perfect sacrifice that once and for all provided the atonement that mankind so sorely needs. Like water standing at the bottom of a deep well, though, this gift is of no use to us until we do what the Lord commanded us in order to receive its benefit.

This gift is freely offered to all who are willing to receive it, but we only receive it by obeying the gospel. The Lord said, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). When we are immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, we receive eternal life. When we obey His commands He gives us the living water of which He spoke to the Samaritan woman. Then, as faithful children of God, who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, we have within us this well of water springing up to eternal life that sustains us all the way to the home prepared for us in heaven.

Sometimes when we are struggling to please someone we may exclaim, “What do you want from me?” This is an expression borne of frustration over trying to do what is expected, but failing to accomplish that goal. The reasons for one’s failure in such instances are usually because he has not been clearly told what will satisfy the other person, or the instructions he received were unclear, conflicting or incomplete.

Fortunately we do not have this issue in spiritual matters. God has been perfectly clear and complete in what His desire for us is. In 1 Tim. 2:3, 4 Paul said, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of god our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” In very simple language, Paul revealed God’s ultimate desire for all mankind. He wants us to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. This is a significant statement, because one cannot be saved without coming to the knowledge of the truth.

Our Lord Jesus Christ made this same point when He spoke to some believing Jews in Jn. 8:31, 32. He said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” In other words, in order to be a true disciple of Christ, one must continue in His word. This means not only learning it, but also living by it. One who knows the word of God but does not live by it is not a true disciple, and such a person will not be saved in that condition.

If we were to boil down God’s desire to a single word it is obedience. God desires us to obey His word. This has been the case since the beginning of time and will continue to be so until the end of time. God’s desire for Adam and Eve in the garden was that they obey His prohibition against eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God’s desire for Noah was for him to build the Ark according to the instructions given him, and that he take the animals and his family into the Ark before the flood. His desire for King Saul was that he obey God’s commands as king of Israel. When Saul failed to obey, God sent His prophet Samuel to rebuke him.

In 1 Sam. 15:22 Samuel told Saul, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” Saul did what he thought was best and tried to make up for it by offering massive sacrifices to God. It didn’t work, because God wants obedience more than He wants sacrifice.

This principle still applies today. When Jesus gave the Great Commission to the apostles, Matthew recorded it in these words: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:19, 20). When the Lord said to teach the disciples to observe all that He commanded, He meant to teach them to obey. We cannot please God unless we obey Him, and we cannot accomplish His desire in our lives unless we know the truth and obey it.

When Paul wrote his second letter to the church in Thessalonica, he warned them of what would happen when the Lord came again. In 2 Th. 1:7, 8 he said that when the Lord returns He will deal out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is not way around it. God’s desire is that we be saved, but the only way we can be saved is if we know and obey the clear instructions found in His inspired word. Will you obey and allow God’s desire to be fulfilled in your life?

A recurring theme in the scriptures is devoting oneself to God’s word. Moses commanded the people of Israel to speak of God’s word in every activity of their daily existence (Deut. 6:6-9). The anonymous writer of Psalm 119 used 176 verses to extol the virtues of God’s word and his devotion to it, summarizing his attitude in Psa. 119:105, where he said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” In Jn. 8:31, 32 Jesus told some believing Jews to continue in His word in order to be His true disciples, so they would know the truth and the truth would make them free.

Paul in 2 Tim. 2:15 gave what is the definitive statement for Christians on this subject. He said, “Be diligent (or study, KJV) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” Our responsibility as disciples of Christ is to devote ourselves to God’s word so we know and understand it, and so we will accurately employ it as we share the good news with the lost.

Most of us are aware of this responsibility, but few of us become as proficient with God’s word as we ought to be, or would like to be. The reasons for this are many, perhaps, but one of the chief reasons is that we simply do not have any idea how to go about studying the scriptures. This is likely due to the fact that we talk a lot about studying the scriptures, but we talk very little about how to do so. Consequently, Bible study, beyond surface level reading, seems like an insurmountable task.

In reality there are only a few simple principles that one needs to follow in order to enhance his or her knowledge of and expertise in the scriptures. The first principle is consistency. We must make time on a regular basis to spend in the study of God’s word. We understand the value of this principle in secular subjects, and the same is true with God’s word. Regular meditation on God’s word is a key to spiritual growth.

The second principle is to study systematically. Skipping from one subject or book to another with no plan or goal in mind will not enhance one’s awareness of scripture. The Bible is not a book of random, disconnected sayings. It is a cohesive, unified, single message and we must study it systematically in order to fully understand that message.

Third, we must study the Bible contextually. This means we look at every statement in the paragraph, chapter, book and testament in which it is found. We must understand it in the setting in which it was made and then apply it to our current circumstance. Verses or statements taken out of their context become a pretext for false beliefs and teaching, and must be avoided.

Fourth, we must study the Bible reverently. Some people treat the Bible like a cafeteria. They go through it as though only the parts they like or agree with are applicable to them. The psalmist who wrote Psalm 119 knew that the words he read in scripture were the very words of God and he treated them with the reverence and respect they deserve. So also should we. Our attitude must be, “God said it and that settles it.” As we study the scriptures we are reading words that were breathed by God to the men He inspired to write them (2 Tim. 2:16, 17). With such an attitude, we cannot help but understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17).

Let us each employ these principles as we study God’s word so our faith will be built up and we will be more effective in our efforts to seek and to save the lost.

The writer of Hebrews made the following statement about the word of God: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12). In the context, this statement was made as the conclusion of his exhortation in vs. 3-11 that his readers must not fail to enter God’s rest because of disobedience. The not too subtle inference is that it is the power of God’s word that keeps one from disobedience.

When we analyze this statement we are struck by the awesome power that is attributed to God’s word. To say that the word of God is living and active suggests power. That it is sharper than any two-edged sword is also an attribution of power, but it is the next descriptions that are the most amazing of all. The word of God is able to divide between soul and spirit, and joint and marrow. The word of God also judges the thoughts and intentions of one’s heart.

These are distinctions that are virtually impossible for humans to grasp. How does one distinguish between soul and spirit? Theologians and lay people alike are unable to adequately comprehend the difference between them, yet God’s word is able to. How does one separate bone from marrow? Again, humans know the two are distinct entities, but we can hardly conceive of one apart from the other. God’s word, however, has the power to divide the two. And when it comes to one’s thoughts and intentions, we are well aware of our short comings in this aspect of human nature, but God’s word sees clearly even into this difficult realm.

There is no question as to the power of God’s word, whether it is His spoken word, as when He called the universe and everything in it into existence at creation, or when He commanded the flood gates of heaven to overflow the earth in the flood, or the word He gave by means of the Holy Spirit to be written down for our guidance and edification. God’s word has the power to accomplish whatever God intends for it to accomplish, in whatever form He communicates it. In Isa. 55:11 He said, “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Nevertheless, there is one important factor that must not be ignored. God’s word is powerless if His people do not avail themselves of it. James exhorted his readers to “receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21). Paul exhorted Timothy to “be diligent” (or study) so as to accurately handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). And the Bereans were considered more noble-minded than the Thessalonians because they received the word with great eagerness and examined the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).

This is the salient point. The power of Gods word may only be exercised in our lives if we take up His word and make it a living part of our daily walk. In ancient times the people of Judah strayed from God’s ways because they neglected His word. Young king Josiah called them back to God’s word and they became faithful once again under his leadership (2 Chr. 34). If we today ignore and neglect God’s word, we, also, will go astray and the power of God to save us will lie useless in our unopened Bibles. Implant God’s word in your heart and the power of the living word will carry you to the eternal rest God has prepared for the faithful.

The book of Job challenges us in several ways.  Even though a careful reading of it shows God’s grace, love and care for His people, skeptics and unbelievers often try to use it to make a case against God.  They seek to charge God with being the source of evil, or with being uncaring and arbitrary toward mankind.  The issue of suffering, they say, is evidence against belief in God.

Even believers sometimes struggle with the case of Job.  Some take the events of this book and from them teach that mankind is little more than a marionette, whose strings are pulled by a sovereign God.  In such a case, humans have no freewill, nor any capacity to determine the course of their lives.  God predetermines all that happens to them and they can only react to these things.  Others suggest that God is simply aloof to mankind’s situation in life.  They say He created the world in which we live, set a natural order of things in motion, and then He allows things to play out as they will, with little or no interest in how it all turns out.

Sometimes, believers may wonder from Job’s life if God doesn’t cause certain things to happen to us in order to test our fidelity, or perhaps just to get our attention.  They may see God’s conversation with Satan with regard to Job as evidence of this.  In such a view, any bump in the road of life must be examined to see if there is a hidden message from God within it.  This idea, as is the case with the previous two ideas, is not complimentary to our Father in heaven.  It turns Him from being a loving, nurturing Father, to little more than a mad scientist who loves to tinker with the specimens He finds on the earth.

The truth about Job’s experience is that it illustrates the effects of sin being present in the world.  Satan is the source of sin and all that is evil.  His desire is to turn as many as possible away from God by whatever means he can use to accomplish this.  Just as Satan attacked Job to try to make him curse God, he assaults godly people today.  He may use sickness, disease and death in order to make us question God’s love.  He may use evil people and evil things to cast doubt upon God’s care for His people.  He may even use our friends and loved ones to incorrectly argue God’s cause before us, in order to make us turn from Him.

The good news in all of this is that God has put restraints on Satan.  God did not allow Satan to take Job’s life, even though He allowed Job to suffer grievously.  In the same manner, God will not allow Satan to test us beyond our ability to bear it (1 Cor. 10;13).  In addition to this, God Himself does not place obstacles in our path just to test our resolve to follow Him.  James 1:13 tells us that God does not tempt anyone.  His desire is that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2: 4).  He will do nothing that might lead us to sin against Him so as to be lost.

But what about the bad things that happen to good people?  The presence of sin in the world has created an environment in which evil flourishes.  Like a disease that arises in a very narrow population due to their sinful conduct, but then ultimately spreads to the innocent, bad things happen indiscriminately in life.  We may say that “life happens,” but this is not to suggest that we are powerless to meet it, nor that our own decisions play no part in what happens to us.  It simply acknowledges that God does not purposely do things to hurt us.  If we trust in God and remain faithful to Him no matter what Satan and his minions may throw at us, we, like Job, will receive God’s blessings, both here in life and later in eternity.  This truth should comfort and sustain us.

When we want to find the actual words that Jesus spoke, we turn to the gospels which are the largest collection of the Lord’s sayings.  We may also turn to the book of Revelation, where the Lord spoke to John and is quoted in this marvelous vision given to the seven churches of Asia.  Apart from these two sources, there is only one other place in the New Testament where the Lord’s actual words are found.  In Acts 20:35, as Paul spoke to the elders of the church in Ephesus, he said, “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

The fact that Paul quoted this statement assures us that it is an actual statement from the Lord, and that it is worthy of our attention as His followers.  In the context of Acts 20, Paul was giving instructions to the elders of the Ephesian church.  He reminded them of the personal sacrifices he had made in providing for his own support in order to help the church.  His point was that Christians in general and spiritual leaders in particular must be giving persons.

The nature of that giving, as demonstrated in his own life, involved what Winston Churchill would later say of his appointment as Prime Minister of England in 1940:  “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”  The great apostle literally gave all of these things in service to the Lord and His church during the course of his ministry.  The recounting of some of the things he suffered early in his ministry, in 2 Cor. 11:23-28, and what we know he suffered thereafter, clearly show that he gave much.  At the end of his life, Paul was confident that he would receive the crown of righteousness because of his faithfulness to the Lord (2 Tim. 4:7, 8).  This confidence certainly affirms the validity of the Lord’s words.

Unfortunately, it generally takes us a long time to learn this truth.  We are instinctively possessive of our time and of our wealth.  We often cannot fathom how giving of what we have makes us more blessed than those to whom it is given.  This is particularly the case in modern society, where government takes so much from those who produce and gives it to those who do not.  But even in the best of circumstances this is a difficult concept for us.

Nevertheless, the scriptures enjoin us to be givers.  The reason for this is because of how much our Father in heaven has given us.  The gift of His Son as the sacrifice for our sins is a gift that is greater than any we could ever give, even if we possessed the entire wealth of the earth.  Having received such a marvelous gift, how can we withhold giving of ourselves and of our wealth in return?

In 2 Cor. 9:7, Paul told the Christians in Corinth to give as they purposed in their hearts, not grudgingly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.  Then he went on to point out that God will enable us to give generously, if we’ll just trust Him (vs. 8-11).  Those who learn this lesson will give generously of their time and efforts, and of their money, for the good of the kingdom.  Those who give generously will indeed be blessed here on earth as well as in eternity, for there is no greater blessing than to be loved by God because of our faithful obedience to His will.  God said in Mal. 3:10, “Test Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”  Amen!

In Isaiah 52 God, speaking through the prophet, revealed the coming of a time of blessing for His people, when they would be freed from the oppression of their ungodly neighbors.  This message was two-fold in that it had immediate reference to their return from captivity and the restoration of their sovereignty, and it had long-term reference to the coming of the Messiah, whose future suffering is revealed in chapter 53.  In the midst of this discussion, the Lord reflected upon the attitude of the pagan nations who were then oppressing His people.  Among the things He said of them, He remarked, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long” (Isa. 52:5).

To blaspheme means to speak irreverently about God or sacred things.  It also refers to profane talk.  This was a serious charge, about which the pagan nations cared little.  Had they been more concerned about the God of Israel, they would have known that He expressly forbade such talk in the Ten Commandments.  In Ex. 20:7 He said, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”  Although the word blaspheme is not present in this prohibition, it certainly falls within its bounds.

In the context of Isa. 52, the pagan nations blasphemed God’s name by their disrespect for Him.  In the ancient world a nation that conquered another typically mocked the gods of that nation for not protecting them from the invaders.  So we may conclude that those who oppressed Israel made fun of God because of how easily they had defeated her.  Such was the case when Sennacherib sent Rabshakeh to speak to the besieged city of Jerusalem.   In Isa. 36:18-20, Rabshakeh spoke in derisive terms about the gods of the nations that had already fallen to Sennacherib, and warned Jerusalem that their God would not be able to spare them.

This taunt of the God of Israel did not go unpunished, for God, in response to Hezekiah’s prayer, destroyed 185,000 Assyrians and Sennacherib withdrew and returned to Assyria where he was assassinated.  The nations who blasphemed God in Isa. 52 also suffered defeat when it was time for God to restore His people to the Promised Land.  This reaction from our God and Father should be sobering, especially in our time.

Today God’s name is routinely blasphemed in all areas of society.  One can hardly watch a movie or television program without some irreverent reference to God.  Whether it is using His name in curses, or using His name in vain and flippant expressions, there is no respect for God’s holy name in the media.  Many young people, and even some adults fill their text messages with abbreviations, such as OMG, that blaspheme God’s name.  In addition to this, God’s name is often used in many irreverent and flippant expressions that punctuate our daily speech.  All of these things blaspheme God’s name, and should never pass from our lips or fingertips.

The Jews were so conscious of the holiness of God’s name that they would not even speak it.  They substituted the word “Lord,” lest they inadvertently profane His name.  This is why no one knows how to pronounce the Hebrew word YHWH, the name of God.

In a world that so carelessly blasphemes God’s name, we who are Christians must be all the more diligent to be sure that we do not.  Let us treat God’s name with all the respect and reverence it deserves, for God will not leave unpunished those who use His name in vain.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon bemoaned many facets of life that from his vantage point were vanity and striving after wind.  This is a somber perspective on life and in some respects reflects the effects of Solomon’s folly for having tested his ability to remain wise while engaging in all manner of foolish pursuits.  As far away from God as Solomon drifted, he did not completely forget his creator.  He came full circle in his faith and concluded this book with the charge to “fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Eccl. 12:13).

As Solomon made this journey, he focused on something that has troubled godly people for all time.  How are we to react when it seems that the wicked prosper in their evil deeds?  In Eccl. 8:11-13 Solomon said, “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given to fully to do evil.  Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly.  But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.”

Here Solomon noted a common attitude among human beings.  When we do something we know is wrong and do not immediately receive punishment, we are emboldened to continue in that activity.  Whether it is the child getting into the cookie jar, or a criminal breaking into a house, or someone telling a falsehood, or whatever it might be, if we appear to get away with it, we are more likely to do it again.

When the righteous observe such behavior, they may wonder about the wisdom of living a godly lifestyle.  They may wonder about God’s justice in allowing the wicked to succeed in their evil deeds.  They may wonder why their lives are not as materially blessed as those of the unrighteous.  All of these are understandable reactions, when it seems that evil prospers.  They are understandable, but they are not biblical reactions.

The plain truth of scripture is that all evildoers will be held accountable for their deeds.  Solomon spoke of it in general terms in Eccl. 8:11-13.  He knew that a delay in the execution of God’s judgment did not mean that judgment would not be meted out.  The righteous will be rewarded for their godliness, and the wicked will be punished for their evil deeds.  This is an unchangeable feature of God’s character.

One statement of this truth is found in Nahum 1:3, in the words the prophet spoke to the city of Nineveh.  He said, “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.”  The last phrase of this statement is important.  God will not leave the guilty unpunished.  His justice will not allow the wicked to get away with their evil deeds.  This is a truth that is as fundamental to our faith as is the promise of reward for the righteous.  There cannot be a reward for obedience if there is no punishment for disobedience.

The New Testament echoes this truth.  One example of this is 2 Corinthians 5:10, where Paul said, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”  So then, we do not fret because of evildoers and we do not envy them, for God will bring them to justice and put out their lamp (Proverbs 24:19).  Although evil seems to prosper, its destiny is the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:14).

There are some words in the English language that always seem to evoke a negative response when we hear them.  One of these words is “fool.”  If we hear it applied to another, we will either think poorly of that person, or, if it is applied to a friend, we will rush to that person’s defense.  If we hear it applied to ourselves, we are likely to take offense and respond indignantly.  There are very few instances in which we let this term pass without reaction.

This seems to be true no matter what language one uses.  In the scriptures there are several words in the Hebrew language, and in the Greek language, that are translated by the English word “fool.”  One of the Hebrew words is nabal, which means “senseless.”  This is the word that was used by David in Psa. 14:1, where he said, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.'”  This word was also the name of the man who refused to give aid to David and his men in 1 Sam. 25:1-12.  When his wife, Abigail, learned of this affront, she took provisions to David and his men in order to keep them from taking vengeance on her husband.  In 1 Sam. 25:25 she told David, “Please do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he.  Nabal is his name and folly is with him, but I your maidservant did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent.”

In the New Testament there are two words that are translated “fool.”  One of these is moros, from which the English word “moron” is derived.  Jesus used this word in Mt. 5:22 when he said that the one who said, “You fool” to another would be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.  This word means “stupid,” or “dull.”  The Lord used another word in Lk. 12:20, when He told the parable about the rich man who tore down his barns to build bigger barns.  In the parable, God said to this man, “You fool!  This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?”  The Greek word in this place is aphron, which means “without reason.”

It is important to notice that none of these words refer to one’s mental capabilities.  Even though we sometimes hear the word “moron” used to speak of one with diminished mental faculties, this is not inherent in the words in the original languages.  What we do see consistently present in all of these words is the idea of a lack of sense with regard to the realities of life.  In other words, a fool, as defined by the scriptures, is one who refuses to believe something that is obviously true.

This is certainly the case in David’s use of this word in Psa. 14:1.  Only a fool refuses to believe in the existence of God.  The natural universal and everything in it shows the unmistakable imprint of God’s hand.  This is such obvious evidence that Paul said that there is no excuse for not believing in God (Rom. 1:20).  One has to be “senseless” to look at the physical realm and conclude that it just happened by accident.

This lack of sense, or reason, was the problem with the rich man in the parable.  He refused to honor God for the blessing of abundance that he had received.  He was a fool because he took no thought of his eternal destiny.  This is the issue with many today who refuse to believe the plain teaching of scripture with regard to salvation, the church and acceptable worship.  God’s commands on these subjects are clearly and simply stated in the scriptures so that all may understand them and comply with them.  Jesus said that those who do the will of the Father will enter heaven (Mt. 7:21).  Only a fool will ignore this warning.  Don’t be a fool.  Obey the Lord’s will.

Psalm 101 is a psalm of David, the beloved king of Israel.  In this psalm David extols the virtue of living in a blameless way.  In order to do so, David speaks of focusing on those things that contribute to a blameless life.  At the same time, he speaks of removing from one’s sight anything that will hinder this quest.  A particularly powerful statement of this last aspect is v. 3.  There David says, “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me.”

Depending on the English version that one uses, one of several different words may appear where the NASB uses the word “worthless.”  The KJV and NKJV use the word “wicked.”  The NIV uses “vile.”  The ASV (1901) and NRSV use “base,” and the HCSB uses “godless.”  Each of these words accurately communicates the meaning that David intended in this statement, but the Hebrew word he used is even more powerful than all of these English words.

The root of the word used by David in v. 3 is belial, which refers to something of no value and is often used in the Old Testament with reference to the idols and false gods of the pagan nations that surrounded Israel.  It was also used in an idiomatic phrase that denoted men of dubious character.  That phrase is “sons of belial,” which appears many times in the Old Testament text.  Some English translations use this phrase in the English text, but others, like the NASB, use the word “worthless” for this Hebrew idiom.

The point to be noted here, though, is that something to which the word belial is applied has no godly value.  Men in the Old Testament who were so described were men typically without honor or morals, or who would do anything for pay.  Such men often served as false witnesses when an evil plot was being hatched against one of God’s prophets or against some righteous man.

In David’s desire to be everything that God wanted him to be, he committed himself to not place anything of this sort before his eyes.  Instead, he wanted only to see and to know those things that would make him more righteous and godly.  His exclamation in v. 4 that he would know no evil is an expression of this commitment.  In David’s own way he was stating the well-known modern proverb, “Garbage in, garbage out.”  He knew that whatever he placed within his heart would come out in his actions.  Therefore he resolved not to allow any ungodly thing in.

We know that David sometimes struggled with this commitment.  A case in point was his sin with Bathsheba.  This was an instance in which he allowed a “worthless” thing to come before his eyes and it led him to commit adultery and murder.  Bathsheba was bathing when David saw her, but instead of turning away from her nakedness, he dwelt upon it, lusted and committed his terrible sin.

In application to our time, this principle still stands.  Whatever we place within our hearts will be borne out in our lives.  With our modern technology we can place before our eyes all kinds of images and information.  The world around us is full of worthless things in music, the movies, television, radio, books, magazines, and the internet.  God’s grace is great and we have no hope without it, but we are warned not to sin so that grace may abound (Rom. 6:1, 2).  Therefore, we must constantly remember the danger of worthless things.  If our goal is to live a blameless life before our God, we must set no worthless thing before our eyes.