How can we align our values with God's, as seen in Psalm 119:119? Seeing God’s Value System in Psalm 119:119 “You discard all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies.” • Dross is the scum removed when precious metal is refined. God’s standard treats evil the same way—something to be skimmed off and thrown away. • The psalmist’s response is love for God’s testimonies, because they reveal what God treasures and what He rejects. What God Values—What He Rejects • Purity over corruption (Isaiah 1:25; 1 Peter 1:7) • Truth over deception (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17) • Humility over pride (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) • Faithfulness over convenience (Matthew 25:21; Revelation 2:10) • Holiness over compromise (2 Corinthians 6:17; Hebrews 12:14) Aligning Our Values with His • Love what He loves: “Let love be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9) • Hate what He hates: “To fear the LORD is to hate evil.” (Proverbs 8:13) • Treasure His Word: Delighting in Scripture reshapes affections (Psalm 1:2; 119:97). • Guard the mind: Feed on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable (Philippians 4:8). • Practice daily refining: Invite the Spirit to expose and skim off the “dross” (Psalm 139:23-24). Practical Steps for Everyday Life • Morning calibration: Read a portion of Scripture before engaging any other media. • Value audit: List top five influences on your thoughts; replace one worldly input with a Christ-centered one. • Verbal alignment: Speak verses aloud when tempted to compromise (e.g., Psalm 119:11). • Community accountability: Walk with believers who will name dross and celebrate gold (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Act on conviction immediately; delayed obedience dulls sensitivity to God’s values (James 4:17). Supporting Passages to Meditate On • Malachi 3:2-3 – The Lord sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. • Psalm 15 – The portrait of the one who may dwell with God. • 1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love the world or anything in the world. • Colossians 3:1-4 – Set your hearts on things above. Key Takeaway God’s Word is the furnace that reveals dross and the treasure map that shows what matters to Him. By loving, learning, and living His testimonies, we exchange our mixed-metal priorities for pure gold that reflects His glory. |
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