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Psalm 101:3 - What You Behold You Become!TRANSLATIONS AND PARAPHRASESPsalm 101:3 (NKJV) I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. Psalm 101:3 (ESV) I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. Psalm 101:3 (CWR) I will set no wicked thing before my eyes. I hate all evil because it turns me away from the Lord. I will not let this world influence me against Him. CONTEXT David may have written this psalm early in his reign as king as he decided the standards by which he wanted to live. David knew that to lead a blameless life he would need God's help (101: 2). We can lead blameless lives if we avoid (1) looking at wickedness-- anything vile or vulgar (101: 3), (2) evil thoughts or associates (101: 4), (3) slander (101: 5), and (4) pride (101: 5). While avoiding these wrongs, we must also let God's Word show us the standards by which to live. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL An Amazing Fact: Abolition of the slave trade in England was delayed for more than so years because five pro-abolitionist parliamentarians were at the opera when the vote was being taken. William Wilberforce had been working tirelessly for years toward one goal: the abolition of the slave trade in England. In 1796, he felt as if the tide had finally turned in his favor. When he brought the bill before parliament, as he did every year of his political career, he nervously awaited the vote. Sadly, the pro-abolition side fell short by four votes. Lamenting later in his diary, Wilberforce wrote, "Enough at the Opera to have carried it." It turns out those parliamentarians were attending the opening night of the comic opera I Dui Gobi (The Two Hunchbacks). Unfortunately, it would not be until 1807 that the bill finally passed. During that time, hundreds of thousands of slaves lost their lives. It is no wonder that David wrote in the book of Psalms, "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes" (Psalm 101:3). The Hebrew word for "wicked" is actually a little less extreme than this, however. It literally means "worthless," or that which doesn't have any real value. Yet how many times do we, like those parliamentarians, set worthless things before our eyes when people all around us are hurting, dying, and desperately needing our help? How many times do we turn on the TV or watch a movie when there are much bigger issues going on that God wants to involve us in? God graciously invites us to look "unto Jesus" instead. (See Hebrews 12:2). It is there that we will find all that is lovely and, in response, we will seek to live as He lived. [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts] COMMENTARY At some point in life, each one of us must decide what is his highest joy; for the thing that delights us directs us. Generally speaking, a child finds his delight in what he has; a youth in what he does; and an adult in what he is. The first lives for possessions, the second for the experiences, and the third for character. We do not condemn the child or the youth for so living, because neither has reached maturity; but we would certainly wonder at an adult who lived on those lower levels.... So, every person has an outlook on life; he is seeking his highest joy. Outlook determines outcome. Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the stars and became the friend of God by faith. Lot lifted up his eyes and saw Sodom and became the friend of the world. Abraham inherited the city prepared for him by God, the city he had been seeking (Hebrews 11:13-16); but Lot lost everything when Sodom went up in smoke. If life is to be rich and meaningful, then our joys must be the highest possible; and Jesus tells us that the highest joy possible is to see God. by Warren Wiersbe [Inspirational SB] ILLUSTRATION Dedicated To All Television Fanatics (television can be substituted with smartphone or social media) The television is my shepherd, my spiritual life doth want. It maketh me to sit down and do nothing. It leadeth me beside men of no faith. It restoreth my desire for worldly pleasures. It requireth all my spare time and keepeth me from doing the will of God, because it presenteth so much foolishness which I must see. It increaseth my knowledge of nonsense and keepeth me from the study of the Word of God. Yea, though I live to be an hundred, yet the viewing of my television shall have first place in my life as long as it doth operate, for it is my closest companion. Its sound and its picture, they comfort me. It presenteth foolishness and folly before me continually and keepeth me from surrendering my whole life unto God. It anoints my mind with seeds of corruption and fills my head with vanity, which profiteth me nothing; my cup remains empty. Surely, no good thing will come of my life, because I am devoted to my television, which leaveth me no time to serve God acceptably: Thus I will dwell in the House of Confusion forever. By Joseph Bakke PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Staying free from the sin that used to entrap us depends on our staying close to God and staying away from every evil. [Life Recovery SB] David resolves not to look upon evil that his life may not imitate what he would see. To a great extent we are what we habitually behold (2 Cor. 3:18). [SDA Bible Commentary] Because our thought life and actions are determined to a great extent by that which we focus on, we must carefully screen the items we read, the programs and movies we watch, and the activities in which we participate. [Passages Of Life SB] It is vital that we not waste our time following a program that tries to undermine our faith in God. We must learn to be discerning in the activities we become involved in. Like the psalmist, we must refuse to tolerate anything in our life that does not recognize the value of our trust in God and obedience to his ways. [Life Recovery SB] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Psalm 101:3 - What You Behold You Become! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2003/20030829-0847.html Proverbs 23:7 - What You Think - - You Are! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230930-0941.html Proverbs 4:23 - GUARD YOUR HEART!!! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240629-0829.html Job 31:1 - Not to Stare and Sin. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20051130-1137.html Matthew 26:41 - Victory Over Temptation And Sin. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20241021-1338.html 2 Corinthians 3:18 - More and More Like Jesus! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20241030-1329.html Hebrews 12:1, 2 - FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240125-0725.html Philippians 4:8 - What Are You Feeding Your Mind? https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240509-0838.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |