A Christian’s Defense

A Christian’s Defense

Psalm 26 says,
1. Judge me, O Jehovah, for I have
walked in mine integrity: I have trusted
also in Jehovah without wavering.
2. Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove
me; try my heart and my mind.
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3. For Your lovingkindness is before

my eyes; and I have walked in Your
truth.
4. I have not sat with men of falsehood;
neither will I go in with dissemblers.
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5. I hate the assembly of evil-doers,

And will not sit with the wicked.

6. I will wash my hands in innocency:

So will I compass Your altar, O
Jehovah;
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7. That I may make the voice of

thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of all
Your wondrous works.
8. Jehovah, I love the habitation of Your
house, and the place where Your glory
dwells.
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9. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor

my life with men of blood;

10. In whose hands is wickedness, and

their right hand is full of bribes.
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11. But as for me, I will walk in my

integrity: Redeem me, and be merciful
unto me.
12. My foot stands in an even place: In
the congregations will I bless Jehovah.
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Have you ever been blamed for something

you didn't do? Leaders often are blamed
falsely. The Israelites blamed Moses for
lack of water, bitter water, enemies'
attacks and lack of food. In this psalm,
David is falsely accused, so he takes four
steps to deal with his slanderers.
 A Christian’s Defense

Step 1: An honest examination of the

situation is made (verses 1-3). Human
nature does not want to admit it's wrong,
but we need to examine ourselves. David
walked in integrity. Integrity means
"wholeness of character." He also walked
in faith, without wavering.
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We find David open before God, walking in

the light and letting God examine him. We
would save ourselves a lot of trouble if we
would let Him examine us. He wants to
teach us what we are really like. If we are
right before God, it makes no difference
what people say about us.
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Step 2: A holy separation from that which

is evil is made in verses 4 and 5. People
accused David of being a hypocrite, even
though he did not worship false gods. We
must obey the biblical doctrine of holy
separation as Paul said in 2 Corinthians
6:14-18:
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14. ...and God both raised the Lord,

and will raise up as through His power.

15. Know you not that your bodies

are members of Christ? Shall I then
take away the members of Christ, and
make them members of a harlot? God
forbid.
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16. Or know you not that he that is

joined to a harlot is one body? For,
“The two,” says He, “shall become one
flesh.”

17. But he that is joined unto the Lord

is one spirit.
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18. Flee fornication. Every sin that a

man does is without the body; but he
that commits fornication sins against
his own body.
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Step 3: A happy celebration followed in

verses 6-8. David washed his hands in
innocence. He was cleansed by water
and blood. He was concerned about
praising, loving and glorifying God. Just
as Jesus sang before His crucifixion,
David sang songs of praise around the
altar, the place of sacrifice.
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Do we sing songs of praise when we

have to make sacrifices?

Step 4: A humble determination was

demonstrated in verses 9-12. David said,
"As for me, I will walk in my integrity."
When a person has integrity, he has a
great defense, a great shield.
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Character is a marvelous shield against

the accusations of men. A good
conscience gives us courage in times of
difficulty.

The Christian's defense is the grace of

God, His Word and His truth. Because of
this, we're able to walk.
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David's foot stood in an even place. He

was not standing alone – he was in the
congregation. Let's take the same steps
David took the next time someone
slanders us.
People can hurt you with false
accusations, but you need not let
slanderers defeat you.
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If you walk with integrity, your character

will shield you. Keep yourself pure and
avoid compromising situations. When
someone slanders you, God's grace, His
Word and His truth will protect you.