Keeping Your Life Under Control

Psalm 101:4

A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.

There are many things we cannot control in life, but we can control what influences our heart. Protecting your heart is critical because out of it are the issues of your life. Your heart dictates the direction you go and what you do, which means what presently influences your heart will dictate where you will be in the future.

The psalmist said a froward heart shall depart from me. The word froward means a contrary heart or a wayward heart. Many people struggle with their heart’s desires because they have a froward heart. People often tell me they just can't seem to overcome the wrong desires. They are saying that they have a froward heart. Psalm 101 shows nine things we must purposely do to keep our heart and life under control.

First, purposely have a good attitude. He says in verse 1, I will sing of mercy and judgment. Listen to the right music and you will sing the right music. The right music helps you to have a good attitude. Even a backslidden Saul understood that good music could help him to have a good attitude.

Second, purposely do right. Verse 2 says, I will not know a wicked person. You will only do right if your friends are right. Keep the right friends and you will do right.

Third, purposely live one life. The psalmist talked about doing right in his house. You must keep your private life right if you will live right in public. Never do things privately that you would not want others to know publicly.

Fourth, purposely control what your eyes see. The psalmist said that he would set no wicked thing before his eyes. What you see you will do; therefore, protect what you allow your eyes to see.

Fifth, purposely associate with the right people. You are becoming what your weakest association is. Associations do matter; therefore, you must not know a wicked person.

Sixth, purposely avoid gossip. Stay away from those who slander others, for they will influence your heart for wrong. You cannot listen to gossip without it destroying your heart.

Seventh, purposely avoid proud people. Pride destroys; therefore, avoid those who walk around with a proud look. You cannot spend time with proud people before their arrogance rubs off on your life.

Eighth, purposely avoid the liar. You cannot associate with liars without becoming one; therefore, you must not allow a liar to tarry in your sight.

Ninth, purposely deal with sin and bad associations quickly. If you will early destroy all the wicked associations in your life, you will keep your life under control.

The key to these nine things is the phrase, I will. You can control your life if you choose to control these nine things. Keeping your heart and life under control is a choice of controlling what influences your heart. All it takes for your life to get out of control is to let one of these nine things slip into your life. Be purposeful in your life; you will find that if you purposely will to do the right, you will keep your life under control.