Hiding the Word in Your Heart

"I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11).

Why do we hide the Word of God in our hearts?  It is because everything we believe is contained therein.  Our beliefs control our thought, our emotions, and our behavior. Every single episode of my life formed beliefs for good or evil whether I was praised, rewarded, and trained or misunderstood, neglected, and abused. These beliefs must stand firm or be confronted with truth so that we can live the abundant life God provided through the death and resurrection of His Son.

Once we accept Christ's sacrifice for our sins and we inherit eternal life, we begin the life-long process of sanctification - the renewing of our mind.  And how does that work?  It works by the power of God's Word. Some read the Bible, even daily and yet it does little to change them.  What if we started allowing the Word to read us?  If on any given day, the lies of the enemy rise to the surface of our hearts and begin to be entertained in our imagination, why not find a promise or a command that directly confronts that lie in the Bible and allow it to bring us into alignment?

If we tend to struggle with doubt and unbelief at the end of the day when we become weary and tired, then the last thing before bedtime would be to find Scriptures on faith and renew our minds just before we lay down to rest - so that the last impression left on our brain is the truth. 

If we awaken from a bad dream and we feel afraid, why don't we run to the word and allow the promises of God's love sink down deep to confront that fear through the power of perfect love?

If someone else's reaction to a bad day gets taken out on us; why don't we search God's word about how much the Father values us so that we realize who we really are to Him and understand that another person's reaction to a bad day doesn't change our personal status.  Then we can move on to exercise empathy for our offender, taking into consideration the frustration or disappointment of their day's events and finally forgive them.


Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that, "the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." If our hearts are divided between two opinions - a lie and the truth; then God's Word will separate those things within us, confront the lies with that truth, and take into a greater place of faith.  Then we step out in that truth with action whether it is declaring our trust out loud, agreeing in prayer about it with another person, or making a necessary choice in faith.  Once we do, the experiential outcome solidifies our faith as God shows Himself strong.  This is the truth in James 1:2-4 which says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."


So next time you get into the Word, allow it to read you as you are reading it!  Let the power of the truth confront your unbelief or the lies lodged in your heart and radically transform your mind and heart. Your emotions will begin to quiet as your faith increases and the peace and joy of the Lord will flood your soul.

Selah!