Choosing Sides A Study in Psalm 16 (Part 1) Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Choosing Sides ----------------------- Date: 8/19/1999 Keywords: "choice" "choose" "refuge" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. The following is the first of five studies in Psalm 16 as it relates to resisting Web porn. Feel free to study and/or download the entire set. We welcome your feedback. Passage: Psalm 16: 1-3* 1. Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in Thee. 2. I said to the Lord, "Thou art my Lord; I have no good besides Thee." 3. As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. Questions 1. David (of David and Goliath fame) wrote this psalm. What is he asking for in verse 1?   2. If you were to rewrite what David says to the Lord in verse 2 into a more modern statement, how would you write it?   3. How does David picture others who trust in God (verse 3)? How do you see other believers?   Practical help There are so many distractions in life, and one of them is sexual temptation outside of marriage. Some people justify Internet pornography because it is "impersonal" and not a sin with another human being. In a sense, though, isn’t all sexual sin personal? For one thing, it affects you — and you are a person. I imagine David crying out this prayer while fully aware of the seen and unseen dangers around him. He is asking God to protect him. You can do the same thing. Remember, however, you can’t have it both ways. When asking for God’s protection and deliverance, you can’t at the same time choose to ignore His guidance. And don't forget fellow believers. They can be a great source of strength to you in times of temptation. Ask the Lord for a friend you can confide in and talk with. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."