Psalm 101

What a balance exists between the blameless life we are called to live in sanctification (while always relying on the righteousness that comes from justification) and the ministry we have to a world that is evil. We have the understanding that bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33) and yet we are to be all things to all men that we might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). Jesus ministered to tax collectors and sinners, this Psalm would encourage us to drive them away. I think the balance exists in the flow of influence. I do believe we are to mange our interaction with unbelievers as well as things of the world not to set before my eyes any vile thing (v3a) and recognizing that bad company corrupts good morals. As I do interact with unbelievers, I am to be guarded in the way this Psalm would encourage, recognizing the evil influence that is in the world, but not letting “the deeds of faithless men cling to me” (v3b). And yet I interact with the hope and prayer that my life and testimony might have an influence on them. So I choose to be in the presence of unbelievers but the influence should flow one way, if you will, from me to them. I think that’s how we internalize this Psalm in the presence of Jesus and Paul’s ministry. Now that is not to say there are not good things that come from the world and unbelieving people. We know that salvation is only found in the gospel and we look for opportunities to share that with everyone who doesn’t believe. But sometimes the integrity, kindness or generosity that comes from unbelieving people is laudable. And as David says here, we want to hang out with those people. But we know the greater and more pure influence should come from us particularly in influencing them towards faith in Jesus for salvation.