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Psalm 119:11 - How To Hide Gods Word In Your Heart.

Psalm 119:11 (KJV) Thy word have I hid in 
mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 

INTRODUCTION

   The Bible has the power to change our 
lives and protect us from spiritual harm. Second 
Timothy 3:16 tells us that Scripture is 
"God-breathed," which means the Holy Spirit inspired the 
human beings who wrote it, and God himself 
invested their words with his own breath and his own 
life.  
   We need to be careful not to let the 
Bible become a substitute for God, as though his 
presence and voice can be reduced to words on a 
printed page. It is possible to study Scripture 
diligently and yet miss God, as the Pharisees did. But 
it isn't possible to know God as fully as we 
are capable of knowing him without studying 
Scripture. We encounter God with certainty through his 
Word. [NIV Once A Day Bible re Psa. 119:9-16] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Parents know that if they want to get a 
child to drop something, they need to offer 
something better in its place. 
   We can apply the same principle when 
sinful thoughts come our way. Scottish minster 
Thomas Chalmers called this, the expulsive power 
of a new affection. This means that 
something is so powerful that its more attractive 
to us than the other thing. 
   In other words, we push the old stuff out 
of our lives and say, I dont want that 
garbage in my life anymore. I have something far 
better in its place, which is knowing God. 
   Remember, when Satan tempted Jesus in the 
wilderness to turn stones into bread, Jesus responded, 
No! The Scriptures say, People do not live by 
bread alone, but by every word that comes from the 
mouth of God (Matthew 4:4 NLT). 
   Then the devil took Him to a high point 
of the temple and essentially said, Why 
dont you jump off here, and the angels will catch 
you? 
   But Jesus said, The Scriptures also 
say, You must not test the Lord your God 
(verse 7 NLT). 
   Then the devil wanted Jesus to fall down 
and worship him. So, Jesus told him, Get out 
of here, Satan. For the Scriptures say, You 
must worship the Lord your God and serve only 
him (verse 10 NLT). 
   How did Christ defend Himself against the 
onslaught of temptation? He used the Word of God. 
Thats why we need to know Scripture. The psalmist 
wrote, I have hidden your word in my heart, that 
I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11 
NLT). 
   While its a good thing to carry a 
Bible in a purse, backpack, or briefcase, the best 
place to carry the Word of God is in your heart. 
Memorize it. Fill your mind with it. Know the Word of 
God. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

COMMENTARY

Memorizing Scripture

   Memorizing Scripture is so powerful 
Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your 
witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. 
Your counseling will be in demand. Your attitudes 
and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will 
become alert and observant. Your confidence and 
assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be 
solidified. 
   God's Word is filled with exhortations to 
implant His truth in our hearts. David says that a 
young man can keep his life pure by treasuring 
God's Word in his heart (Psalm 37:31; 119:9"11). 
Solomon refers to this in Proverbs 4:4: 
   "Let your heart hold fast my words;
   Keep my commandments and live."
   The words hold fast come from a single 
Hebrew term, meaning "to grasp, seize, lay hold 
of." Scripture memory gives you a firm grasp of 
the Word - and allows the Word to get a firm 
grasp of you! Solomon also mentions writing the 
Word "on the tablet of your heart" (Proverbs 7:3) 
and having Scriptures kept within you so "they 
may be ready on your lips" (Proverbs 22:18). 
   Now, I know you've been challenged to do 
this before. But is it happening? Perhaps you 
have procrastinated because you have mental 
blocks against it. Maybe you tried, but you either 
did not see the value or could not get beyond 
the method that was demanded by some memory 
program - little cards, booklets, checkup 
techniques, hearers, etc. Perhaps that seemed elementary 
and insulted your intelligence. I understand. 
   Okay  forget the methods  but don't 
throw the baby out with the bath water. Take your 
Bible, turn to a passage that's been especially 
helpful  and commit that passage to memory - all 
on your own. Don't learn just isolated verses 
here and there. Bite off whole chunks of 
Scripture. That way you can get the flow of thought God 
had in mind. 
   Here are seven things I have found 
helpful: 
   1. Choose a time when your mind is free 
from outside distractions  perhaps soon after 
getting up in the morning. 
   2. Learn the reference by repeating it 
every time you say the verse(s). Numbers are more 
difficult to remember than words. 
   3. Read each verse through several times 
- both in a whisper and aloud. Hearing 
yourself say the words helps cement them into your 
mind. 
   4. Break the passage into its natural 
phrases. Learn the reference and then the first 
phrase. Then repeat the reference and first phrase 
as you go to the second phrase. Continue adding 
phrases one by one. 
   5. Learn a little bit perfectly rather 
than a great deal poorly. Do not go on to the 
next verse until you can say the previous one(s) 
perfectly, without a glance at your Bible. 
   6. Review the verse(s) immediately after 
you have gone through this process. Twenty to 
thirty minutes later, repeat what you've memorized. 
Before the day has ended, firmly fix the verse(s) 
in your mind by going over it fifteen to twenty 
times. (You can do this as you drive or do your 
job.) 
   7. Use the verse(s) orally as soon as 
possible. After all, the purpose of Scripture memory 
is a practical one, not academic. Use the 
verses in conversation, in correspondence, in 
teaching, in counseling, in everyday opportunities. 
Relate what you've learned to your daily situation. 
You'll be thrilled with the results. [Chuck 
Swindoll www.insight.org.] 

Scripture Meditation

Scripture meditation in the Christian's 
life, however, is as different from that practiced 
in Eastern religions as chalk is from cheese. 
Those who practice these other faiths advocate 
emptying the mind, while the Bible advocates filling 
it"with the truths of God's holy Word. [Every Day 
With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotional] 

   Reaching our full potential begins with a 
clean heart - one that loves the Lord and desires 
to obey Him. However, each of us was born with 
a nature bent away from God. Jeremiah 17:9 
describes the heart as deceitful and inclined towards 
wickedness. Pleasing self is mans normal state. 
   Salvation changed our hearts and lives. 
Jesus death on the cross paid the penalty for our 
sin and broke its power over us. By receiving 
Christ as Savior, we each became a new creation - 
with a heart sensitive to the Holy Spirits 
leading and a mind that strongly desires to know the 
Father better. We also received the Spirits 
power to deny our selfish desires and obey God. 
With clean hearts, we can begin to realize the 
capabilities our loving Lord has given us. 
   The best way to maintain a clean heart is 
by meditating on Scripture. It acts like a 
mirror in which we see ourselves as God does. 
Through it, we discover the areas where we have been 
faithful and also the places where weve veered 
from His path. Expressing genuine repentance 
brings Gods forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 
1:9). 
   The heart represents the seat of our 
mind, will, and emotions. When we strive to keep 
it pure, we will more easily discern the 
Lords plan, submit our will to His, and follow Him 
obediently. 
   Becoming the person God planned for each 
of us to be requires an intimate relationship 
with Him and a desire to obey His Word. Apart 
from Jesus, we cant achieve anything of 
lasting value (John 15:5). Cooperating with the Holy 
Spirits transforming work will help us keep our 
hearts clean. [In Touch Daily Devotional by Charles 
Stanley at www.intouch.org] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   One August, I spoke at a conference in 
Palm Springs, California, and the temperature 
registered 118 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade. Due to 
my disability - and the fact that my body lacks 
any cooling mechanism - I don't deal with heat 
very well. To compensate, I have to drink gallons 
of icy water. Only when I super-saturate every 
cell in my body can I effectively deal with the 
heat. It's a good analogy for Christians facing 
the heat of temptation. 
   We don't have the resources on our own to 
successfully deal with the hot and pressing demands of 
sin. It's foolish - and suicidal - to imagine we 
could! The only way we can survive is by 
super-saturating every spiritual cell in our body with the 
Word of God. That's why today's Scripture reads, 
I have hidden your word in my heart that I 
might not sin against you." So if you are feeling 
the heat today, don't sip, but saturate yourself 
with the Word, 
   Father, I really don't want to sin 
against You. I don't want to lose that sweet sense 
of Your nearness. I don't want to grieve the 
Holy Spirit You have given to me as Counselor, 
Comforter, and Friend. As I consider Your Word today, 
give me a verse to hold on to - one that will 
help me walk in the light. [A Spectacle of Glory 
by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Psalm 119:11 - How To Hide God's Word In 
Your Heart. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20131012-1452.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: 
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657