Joyful are people of integrity,
    who follow the instructions of the Lord.

Psalm 119:1

I participated in a study once in which the author encouraged us to look at every “Don’t” in the Bible and read it as “Don’t hurt yourself”.

For example, many might read Ephesians 5:18 as “Do not get drunk with wine” and feel that the rule puts a damper on their ability to have a good time.

However, when we read it as “Do not hurt yourself by getting drunk with wine”, it puts a new perspective on God’s instructions; it shows us that every instruction from God is to help us avoid hurt and receive peace and joy.

Consider:

• Don’t hurt yourself with a gossiping tongue (Ephesians 4:29)
• Don’t hurt yourself by coveting your neighbor’s possessions (Exodus 20:17)
• Don’t hurt yourself by eating too much (Proverbs 23:20-21)

We may think we know better or are more mature than God gives us credit for and so, like errant children, we break His rules.

BUT God, God is vastly more mature than any human could ever become. God is infinitely more wise than our oldest sage. All of God’s “Don’ts” are recorded in His Word to protect us. Every tug of the Holy Spirit is to keep us on right paths.

Sweet friend, God loves us far more than we’ll ever understand.

He loves us so much that He guides us with His Word into what is right.

He loves us so much He gives us the Holy Spirit to be His guiding voice inside us.

He loves us so much that He doesn’t spoil us or shelter us from the consequences of doing the “don’ts” because He knows we will never grow if we do not experience consequences.

Joyful are they who walk with integrity for their trust in the Lord guides them away from the “don’t hurt yourselves” and into God’s promises.

On this day and every day may we keep our eyes locked on God’s goodness and obey His instructions with love just as He has given them to us in love. May we give up our childish rebellions and errant beliefs that we know better than God and become the people of integrity that God desires us to be!