“65 Lord, You have treated Your servant well,

just as You promised.

66 Teach me good judgment and discernment,

for I rely on Your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray,

but now I keep Your word.

68 You are good, and You do what is good;

teach me Your statutes.

69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies,

but I obey Your precepts with all my heart.

70 Their hearts are hard and insensitive,

but I delight in Your instruction.

71 It was good for me to be afflicted

so that I could learn Your statutes.

72 Instruction from Your lips is better for me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”

Psalm 119:65-72

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Being aware of the influences in our lives is crucial if we are to remain in the truth of God. There are so many people trying to force agendas on us from the outside, trying to buy and influence our minds and hearts. To explain this activity, David simply says, “The arrogant have smeared me with lies…” 

And so we must all look, listen and be aware. Christians in the West have tried to play house with secular culture for far too long, and the day has come and has passed where you could say that we live in a “Christian nation.” Instead, we need to turn to God’s Word and live according to His statutes and desire, listening to His heart instead of those “arrogant [people who] have smeared me with lies…”

Read through this passage again, and see what God is speaking to you, listening more deeply.

Read it a third time, asking Him to help you evaluate what influences are present in your life through individuals, media, etc..

Read it a fourth time, make it your prayer, and ask God to give you wisdom and strength in order to walk with His Holy Spirit.