As a carpenter I often get splinters. They hurt and sometimes bleed. I remove slivers with a sharp knife.
Psalm 15 can be thought of as a sharp knife that God can use to remove the splinters of falsehood in our hearts. Can you read and see that you have not walked blamelessly? I know my heart is exposed and I see the splinters of sin —I cry, “Woe is me, for I am unclean!”
Why do I still sin when Jesus my Savior shed His blood as payment for my sin? He has promised to help me and provide a way of escape in every temptation, having been temped in every way that I am tempted.
Where do I go wrong when I choose to sin? Psalm 15 not only convicts me of sin but gives me insight into my thinking that leads to sin. I sin when I cease to speak truth in my heart. When I slander others, I am not speaking truth in my heart. When I do evil to my neighbor, I have told myself lies to justify my actions. When I criticize a friend, I believe the lie that I am better. When I enjoy the evil around me, I have accepted the lie that it’s not that bad. When I distance myself from those who honor God, I have swallowed the lie that to do so is to my advantage. When I don’t follow through on a commitment or promise because I would rather do something else, I have believed the lie that the highest goal in life is pleasing myself. When I take advantage of someone to their hurt and my gain, I have embraced the lie that I should be first. When I attack the innocent or don’t speak up to protect them because of financial gain, I have not spoken the truth in my heart.
O Lord, please remove the splinters of sin and lies from my heart. Enlighten me to speak the truth in my heart, to set my eyes on you, and to turn from sin and do what is right in your sight for your honor and glory!
Psalm 15
A Psalm of David.
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
He who walks blamelessly
and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the LORD;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
Magnify! 