Proper Conduct through our Character
Conduct of The Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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A Character of Commitment Psalms 26:1-12
intro: Last week we spoke about our prejudiced faith that lingers in the church, referencing the scripture in I Timothy 3:15 on how we should conduct ourselves in the House of the Lord. Today, we want to continue this theme as we go deeper into our spirit to examine our character, commitment, and if it's Contagious or Corrupt. We spoke about our conduct, now let's dive into our character
Character determines so much more than you think. Ultimately it not only dictates your capacity and work in life but also becomes your legacy. Your competency leads to the first impressions, but your character leaves the lasting one. The crowd is intrigued by your competency, but your family and close friends are influenced by your character. Your legacy is made up of your commitment to a cause greater than yourself. I had to realize that when I went to Memorial Road 15 years ago. And Here David realized how his character was killing his career, shattering his family, and ruining his friendships. Let’s see how Psalms speak to us this morning.
Spiritual Contentment- Psalms 26:1-2
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the LORD;
I shall not slip. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try (test) my mind and my heart.
Psalm 26 was written by David while he was on the run from Saul. You remember for a time David sought refuge among Israel’s enemies the philistines. He had been rejected by king Saul. Therefore he turned to the king of Gath and the Philistine king gave him refuge in the city of Ziklag.
David has nowhere to Go, so He has nobody but the Lord to Trust in. He made this clear in Psalms 23-25. The Lord is His Shepard and yet here he is asking God to judge me so that the countrymen, His own people will know he has changed.
In Chapter 24 he again Lord 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.
Chapter 25 1 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. 3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You, I wait all the day!!
Vindicate me, O Lord, Means Vindicate: meaning here to declare innocent, to show to be guiltless. Vindicate me or “declare me innocent”
“Make me true before my accuser”
The question is who is David’s accuser?
Some of the worst folk we have to prove or defend ourselves to are church people. David has not, and he will not worship another God. He asked God to search his heart for any treachery, for he knows he’s innocent he’s done nothing but walk in the truth here he asked God to vindicate him he would never Ally himself with God‘s enemies. He would never bow down to the gods of Bealle or Dagon
The accuser is our own people. Why is it so hard to please church folk?
I shall not slip. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try (test) my mind and my heart.
Yet, Apparently, David’s countryman assumed David had committed treason. What is David doing allying himself with the King of Gath? Why has David forsaken God? and they were stirring up all kinds of slander and all kinds of lies against David. Well he praises his response here in Psalms 26.
Beyond his character is his commitment; David also trusts in the Lord, and his conclusion is certain: “I shall not slip. “Why would he say those words?
Story of David- He had many Wives and it caused him much grief. And as a result of David’s sin with Bathsheba, God said that murder would be a constant threat in his family, his family would rebel, and someone else would sleep with his wives. All this happened as the prophet Nathan predicted. The consequences of sin affect not only us but those we know and love.
David is confident of his past; for the future, he trusts in God to uphold his steps and save him from slips and falls.
In verses, 2–5 David opens himself up to examination. Only God, his ultimate Judge, can know the truth of his claim to integrity and trust. This probing embraces both mind and heart. God is to scrutinize David throughout his being.
Treason Slide
David assures King Saul that he has plotted no “treachery” (so NEB) against the king. In 2 King 11:14 par 2 Ch. 23:13 “Treason! Treason!(Heb. qešer, lit “conspiracy”) is Queen Athaliah’s cry when she sees that her grandson Joash has been crowned king. In Ezk. 17:19-21 God warns the Israelites that He will severely punish them for “treason … committed against [Him]” (Heb. māʿal, “act undutifully,” “be unfaithful”; for textual problems see BHS; cf. AV NEB).
3 For Your lovingkindness (Steadfast) is before my eyes, And I have walked in your truth (faithfulness). 4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, nor will I go in with hypocrites. 5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.—Psalm 26:1–5
When will you let go of my past and see my future and trust my new character?
David had been accused of consorting with the enemy of hanging out in evil places, but he reaffirms no no no my favorite place is the Lord's habitation I like hanging out where God’s glory dwells. You know this is what I examine and when I want to know what’s behind a person's veneer behind her for Sod if you wanna know what’s really in their heart look at where they frequently look at where they hang out if he loves God, you’ll love the habitation of God‘s house he says, do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men in his hands is a sinister scheme, and his right hand is full of bribes, but as for me,
David turns in verse 3 to the positive assertion that he has beheld God’s “lovingkindness” or covenant love and walked the path of divine truth. To see God’s love is to see His redemptive, saving work toward His people. To walk in God’s truth is to obey His Word, His law, and His will. Israel was redeemed of bondage in Egypt and brought to Sinai in order to be God’s obedient people in the world. David stands in this covenant tradition. Now we who are His also stand in the covenant of Israel and David. It’s our time to be vindicated through our character which is predicated on our commitment. Who better to tell his story and have confidence than David?
Spiritually Contagious – Psalms 26:4-5
What I fail to let you know earlier is that David, used Ziklag, as a base of operation, and from there, he conducted raids on other Philistine cities. Then he would lie to the king of Gath about what he had done.
That positive assertion is followed by a fourfold negative assertion in verses 4–5. First, David has not sat with “idolatrous mortals,” or, literally, “men of vanity.” The word “vanity” is often used for idols who are empty (see Ps. 31:6). Second, David will not “go in with hypocrites.” The word “hypocrites” means “those who conceal themselves.” Third, David hates the “assembly of evil-doers.” Fourth, David refuses to “sit with the wicked.”
Since David is bound in God’s covenant and walks in His truth, his way cannot be with those who deny God, deceive men, or practice evil (see Ps. 1:1).
The New King James Version Psalm 1
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night
slide. (comp. Pss. 18:36; 37:31).
Ver. 5.—I have hated the congregation of evil-doers. Fifthly, he has hated, and hates, with a holy and strong abhorrence (comp. Ps. 139:22), the congregation of evil-doers—the gatherings and assemblies of those who meet only for wicked purposes—to sin themselves, and to draw others into like evil courses. This is a positive trait of a very marked character, and goes far beyond the explanation which has been given of it: “I take no part in assemblies for the ruin of others” (Hengstenberg). Sixthly and lastly, he will not sit with the wicked. This only goes beyond the declarations in ver. 4 by extending to all wicked persons of every kind the avoidance there limited to “vain persons,” and “dissemblers.” The spirit is that indicated by Jacob in Gen. 49:6; by St. Paul, in 1 Cor. 5:9–11 and Eph. 5:7, 11; and by St. John, on the celebrated occasion when he avoided contact with Cerinthus (Iren., iii. 3, § 4).