Purity In Private

by Pastor Andrew Wolfenbarger
05/03/2023

Psalm 101:2-3 - “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”

Todd and Julie Chrisley starred in USA Network’s most-watched television show called “Chrisley Knows Best”. In this reality TV show, they project themselves as a simple, conservative family who are self-made real-estate moguls, that get to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle because of their hard work. In truth, their entire lives were a charade. On July 5, 2022, the Chrisleys were convicted in Federal Court on eight counts of financial fraud and two counts of tax evasion because they conspired to defraud banks out of $30 million and avoided paying years of Federal taxes. They had always been liars, the Court’s verdict only served to expose who they were in private.

Many Biblical scholars believe that David wrote this Psalm shortly after being anointed as the King of the united tribes of Israel. These “I will” declarations appear to be personal decisions made by the newly appointed King about the policies of his private life. These were personal decisions that would lead to purity in private. They were not made because David wanted to be a good King. They were made so that David would be a godly man.

1. His Behavior Anticipated Blessing
“I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me?”
David knew that this decision was one that God would ultimately bless. All obedience to God is rewarded both in the immediate and long term. The lie of the devil is to make you think that the tree that God has forbidden is of greater value than the trees that He has freely given for us to enjoy. When we obey God, our life will always experience His blessing. (Deut. 11:26-28).

2. His Conduct Would Be Consistent
“I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”
David decided to operate with character and integrity at all times. Even when he was in the privacy of his own home, operating as an individual with no office to perform, he would be a righteous man. He would later reiterate this lesson he had once committed to after a time of failure. (Psalm 51:6).

3. His Endeavor Affected His Eyes
“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:”
Another decision David made was to guard his eyes against beholding evil things. This was one way that he could protect his heart from growing fond of sin. He knew his eye-gate must be guarded with the greatest level of commitment. That same principle can be applied to our ears and our mouth. (Job 31:1).

4. His Purpose Was Purity
“I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”
David sought to be pure, so he distanced himself from the workers of iniquity so that their sinful practices would not rub off onto him. It is difficult to stay clean when others are slinging mud. David steered clear of the sinful influence of others. (Psalm 1:1).

God desires that all of His children live with consistent conduct. To operate one way in public and another way in private is nothing short of hypocrisy. Do you need to make a decision today to be pure in private as well as in public? What steps need to take place for that to happen?

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