A Christian's Defense (Devotional)

8/14/2019 A Christian's Defense (Devotional)

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A Christians Defense


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A Christians DefenseA Christians Defense

Psalm 26 says,

1. Judge me, O Jehovah, for I havewalked in mine integrity: I have trusted

also in Jehovah without wavering.

2. Examine me, O Jehovah, and proveme; try my heart and my mind.


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3. For Your lovingkindness is before

my eyes; and I have walked in Yourtruth.

4. I have not sat with men of falsehood;

neither will I go in with dissemblers.


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5. I hate the assembly of evil-doers,

And will not sit with the wicked.

6. I will wash my hands in innocency:

So will I compass Your altar, OJehovah;


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7. That I may make the voice of

thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of allYour wondrous works.

8.Jehovah, I love the habitation of You

house, and the place where Your glordwells.


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9. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor

my life with men of blood;

10. In whose hands is wickedness, an

their right hand is full of bribes.


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11. But as for me, I will walk in myintegrity: Redeem me, and be mercifulunto me.

12. My foot stands in an even place: In

the congregations will I bless Jehovah.


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Have you ever been blamed for something

you didn't do? Leaders often are blamedfalsely. The Israelites blamed Moses for

lack of water, bitter water, enemies'

attacks and lack of food. In this psalm,David is falsely accused, so he takes four

steps to deal with his slanderers.


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Step 1: An honest examination of the

situation is made (verses 1-3). Humannature does not want to admit it's wrong,

but we need to examine ourselves. David

walked in integrity. Integrity means"wholeness of character." He also walked

in faith, without wavering.


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We find David open before God, walking in

the light and letting God examine him. Wewould save ourselves a lot of trouble if we

would let Him examine us. He wants to

teach us what we are really like. If we areright before God, it makes no difference

what people say about us.


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Step 2: A holy separation from that which

is evil is made in verses 4 and 5. Peopleaccused David of being a hypocrite, even

though he did not worship false gods. We

must obey the biblical doctrine of holyseparation as Paul said in 2 Corinthians

6:14-18:


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14. ...and God both raised the Lord,

and will raise up as through His power.

15. Know you not that your bodies

are members of Christ? Shall I then

take away the members of Christ, an

make them members of a harlot? Go

forbid.


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16. Or know you not that he that is

oined to a harlot is one body? For,The two, says He, shall become one

flesh.

17. But he that is joined unto the Loris one spirit.


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18. Flee fornication. Every sin that a

man does is without the body; but hethat commits fornication sins against

his own body.


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Step 3: A happy celebration followed in

verses 6-8. David washed his hands in

innocence. He was cleansed by water

and blood. He was concerned about

praising, loving and glorifying God. Just

as Jesus sang before His crucifixion,David sang songs of praise around the

altar, the place of sacrifice.


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Do we sing songs of praise when we

have to make sacrifices?

Step 4: A humble determination was

demonstrated in verses 9-12. David said,

"As for me, I will walk in my integrity."When a person has integrity, he has a

great defense, a great shield.


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Character is a marvelous shield against

the accusations of men. A goodconscience gives us courage in times of

difficulty.

The Christian's defense is the grace o

God, His Word and His truth. Because o

this, we're able to walk.


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David's foot stood in an even place. He

was not standing alone he was in the

congregation. Let's take the same steps

David took the next time someone

slanders us.

People can hurt you with false

accusations, but you need not let

slanderers defeat you.


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If you walk with integrity, your character

will shield you. Keep yourself pure andavoid compromising situations. When

someone slanders you, God's grace, His

Word and His truth will protect you.

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A Christian's Defense (Devotional)