EXAMPLES TO KEEP YOU FROM SIN

“Psa. 119:11 (AMP) Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Scripture commands us to bring examples to the Word for testing. Are people constantly quoting opinions? "Isaiah. 8:20 (AMP) [Direct such people] to the teaching and to the testimony! If their teachings are not in accord with this word, it is surely because there is no dawn and no morning for them.  We follow a man for the light in his lamp; but if that goes out we leave him. And this Scripture certifies that the person cannot have any light at all unless his opinion has been established in the Word. If he does not know where he is going, how can we know where he might lead us?

Examples are precepts, not warrants. "Ex. 23:2 (AMP) You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you bear witness at a trial so as to side with a multitude to pervert justice. An example will not bring acquittal just because you have a precedent to sin. Adam tried that when he said the woman gave him the fruit; yet it did no excuse him from paying the price with her. She was the leader in sin but punishment followed them both. Would you be willing to et poison if another person offered to taste it first? Does this example make it any less deadly?

The Word warns that dedicated saints can sin. When Paul called others after him, he counseled them to keep their eyes open to see whether he followed Christ: ". 1Cor. 11:1 (AMP) PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah). The holy life of the best saint on earth is only an imperfect translation of the perfect standard in God's holy Word and therefore must be tried by it. It is the character of sincerity to look to the way rather than to the crowd. "Prov. 16:17 (AMP) The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.

I am showing you how this sword of the Word-- like the one in the cherubim's hand-- maybe turned every way to protect the Christian from venturing into sin, no matter how right it seems.

This was David's refuge: "Psa. 119:11 (AMP) Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.  It was not the Bible in his hand, the word on his tongue or in his mind, but the hidden Word in his heart, which kept him from sin.”

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617