That I might not

It's a common verse.

Most people have heard it, read it or said it at some point in their life. Many people can quote it from memory. Children in Sunday school classes learn it at a very young age. If we are not careful, we may allow ourselves to become numb to it and allow it become mundane. Although it is short and simple, it is also deep and convicting.

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

I believe that the Bible is God's Word. I believe it is holy, perfect and true. Since I believe it is true, than this verse from Psalms must be true, right? If I hide God's Word in my heart, it should help keep me from sinning against God, right?

Well, I am writing this to tell you that this verse was recently tried and tested in my life and yes, it was found to be 100% completely true.

I didn't plan on testing this verse but things don't always go according to my plan anyways.

Here's how it played out...

Many of you may know and understand that sin is a choice, at least it is for a born-again Christian. Since I've gotten saved, I now have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of me and when I sin, it is because I have allowed my desires and my flesh to surpass God's desires for me.

That happened the other day.

I don't often spend a lot of time contemplating sin and if I do the result is usually that the sin goes uncommitted. But, after contemplating it and considering it, I actually decided to go on with the sin.

As soon as I made my decision to commit this sin, my mind was filled with verses. Not just recent verses or verses that may pertain to this particular sin but random verses. Verses from Sunday school, verses from Numbers to James. From "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging, whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" to "Everyone shall give an account thereof" to "be ye kind, one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another." Verses were coming in from all over.

I couldn't get them out of my head. I couldn't get my mind to think of anything else either.

The verses led to verses from hymns and before I knew it I was humming hymn after hymn after hymn.

So much for that sin I had decided to commit.

When my mind filled with verses and I couldn't get any other type of thought in, it completely distracted me from completing my sin! For that, I am so very grateful.

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

There is a saying out there about the Bible, "Sin will keep me from it (the Bible), or it will keep me from sin."

Words that are so very true.