Walking in the Light: 11 Godly To-Do’s from Psalm 15
David transformed the way that worship was perceived when he set the example of worship as an action that was initiated from within the temple of the heart rather than an action initiated from within the structure of the literal temple. David’s life demonstrated that walking in the light of God’s presence could be done anywhere and it began a new season for how God’s people praise and worship.
When David asked the questions: “Lord, who will abide in Your tabernacle? Who will dwell in Your holy hill?” in Psalm 15:1, he was longing to be in the presence of the Lord and yet because he was not a priest, he was disqualified to enter in according to the Law. David knew he could not approach God’s presence from inside the tabernacle, so he decided to approach God from inside of his heart.
Walking in the Light is a Journey that Begins in the Heart
Even today, many, many people who truly desire intimacy with the Lord try to find Him inside of the church, within the “tabernacle” rather than approaching God from inside the heart. The emotions, the lights, the sounds, the “experience” of worship – those are all decoys that generate a false sense of God’s presence when all that God desires is your heart.
When David wrote Psalm 15, it was written based on requirements of the Old Testament laws pertaining to the blessing – and curses – of adherence to the Law. You had to be “qualified” as a priest and ritually pure under the Law to draw near to God’s presence. Now, however, under the New Covenant Jesus Christ bridged the gap between man and God so that all believers can enter into His presence with thanksgiving anywhere, anytime. (1 Peter 2:9)
David knew he could not approach the presence of God from inside the tabernacle, so he decided to approach God from inside of his heart.
~Alicia Purdy
You’re qualified through Christ to enter into God’s holy presence and you no longer have to be “perfect”. However, John wrote, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (1 John 1:6) No, it’s not about perfection, but it is about transformation and the process of sanctification! You can worship God, but dwelling with Him, in His “tabernacle”, the place where He dwells is different. You need both.
Psalm 15 Reveals What Walking in the Light Looks Like
“Lord, who will abide in Your tabernacle? Who will dwell in Your holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1, NLT)
In Psalm 15:2-5 (NLT) David noted 11 qualities of those who dwell in God’s presence and experience the divine covering that comes with a life lived in the light. Here is what he said:
1. “They lead blameless lives” – No, not perfect lives. Blameless lives “with integrity and strength of character”. (AMP) This is a hallmark of people who honor the Lord in all they do and even when they mess up, the truth sets them free from the power of the lies.
2. “They do what is right” – The Bible is the only source of truth in existence. It is alive and able to show you the difference between your soul and spirit. (Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God will guide you about what is right and what is wrong at every point in time when you seek Him there. Walking in the light means letting God’s Word light the path you walk. (Psalm 119:105)
3. “They speak the truth from sincere hearts” – The world wants you to “speak your truth”, but God wants you to speak His truth. People who hate God will also hate the truth. That changes nothing. Speak God’s truth with God’s love and don’t shy away. It will set you free, and them too. (Colossians 4:6)
4. “They refuse to gossip” – “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you,” Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:31 (MEV) As the old adage goes, “Keep your words sweet, you may have to eat them someday!” Jesus said in Matthew 7, “What measure you use will be used against you.” People will try to lure you into gossip, so if you’re walking in the light practice your graceful exit.
5. “They refuse to harm their neighbors” – Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Remember that your battle isn’t with flesh and blood. So the next time your woke leftist neighbor or relative starts trouble, remember – they’re just telling you how to pray for them!
6. “They refuse to speak evil of their friends” – Proverbs 18:19 says, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city.” Sometimes the people treated the worst are the ones that should have the most love – your natural family and the family of God – the friends He has given to you as you journey. God can work to redeem and restore, but so you can you.
7. “They despise flagrant sinners” – The Bible is clear that people living in open sin are not people who should have any influence over you or your family. Psalm 1 explains why those walking in the light need to keep their distance from people with a seared conscience, those darkened in their thinking, given over to a debased mind, steeped in the world’s systems and serving “their father, the devil”. (John 8:44) Pray, yes. Don’t partner.
8. “They honor the faithful followers of the Lord” – Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (MEV) Whether it is your pastor or your friend at church or a missionary you support or anyone else in the ‘household of faith’, they are your family in the faith and you need them as much as they need you. Work to show them the respect and deference that reflects God’s heart for them.
9. “They keep their promises – even when it hurts” – Jesus said it best in Matthew 5:37: “Let what you say be simply βYesβ or βNoβ; anything more than this comes from evil.” (ESV) If you committed, follow through. It doesn’t matter if it is in your marriage, your ministry or making dinner. Work on not overcommitting so you don’t tarnish yourself, and if you gave your word, keep your promise – that’s what God would do!
10. “They lend money without charging interest” – Financial issues break up relationships more than anything else. Psalm 37:21 says, “… the righteous give generously.” The words of Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer prove the spiritual principle that as you forgive sins and debts, He forgives yours. If He really is your Provider, your portion, lot, inheritance and reward (Psalm 16:5-6), let it go.
Walking in the light and living a “set apart” life aren’t easy. If they were, everyone would be doing it!
~Alicia Purdy
11. “They cannot be bribed to lie”Β – Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are an abomination to theΒ Lord.” John 8:44 says that those who lie are, “…of your father the devil, [who] does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.…for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Those are harsh words, but if you’re walking in the light as He is in the light there is no place for darkness. Tell the truth, no matter what ‘bribe’ tempts you to conceal it.
David noted that, “He who does these things will never be moved.” (Psalm 15:5) There is a cost to pay to follow Jesus Christ, but He is worthy and worth it!
Plenty of people believe in God, but aren’t walking in the light. As a result, they don’t experience a fraction of what God has intended and designed for a life set apart unto Him. There must be a living sacrifice of self, the sanctification process, choices made to live set apart from what everyone else is doing, and a deliberate setting aside of “weights and sins” to run toward Christ – all of these words were spoken to believers!
Thought for today: The Enemy Cannot Move Those Walking in the Light
Not everyone who praises the Lord experiences the “they shall never be moved” part of God’s promises and then they start to doubt God’s promises and His power. Why is that? Because your Adversary has legal access into your life through any area of darkness- emotions, behaviors and actions, speech and confessions, interactions, relationships and anything else that is not in the light.
Walking in the light and living a “set apart” life aren’t easy. If they were, everyone would be doing it, but the spirit and the flesh will always be at war with each other. Everyone contends with the flesh, so walking in the light must be daily, intentional, deliberate and a huge sacrifice of a lot you may hold dear, but living a life set apart unto Him (1 Peter 2:9; Deuteronomy 14:2) is an important part of experiencing the fullness of God and “they shall never be moved”, David wrote.
Why? Because the enemy will try to move you and he will push you as far as he is allowed to. You have the authority through Jesus Christ to “not be moved”, but you must remain walking in the light! “Lord, who will abide in Your tabernacle? Who will dwell in Your holy hill?” If you’ve stepped away from the light, you can always come back, right now. Get into worship, repent and confess, fill your mind and spirit with the truth of God’s Word, ask for help from another believer.
Don’t let the enemy keep you as a prisoner of darkness. You’re set free to walk in the light!
This is How Believers Fight Their Battles:
“4 Victorious Strategies for Battles in the Army of the Lord”
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