In the second message ofthe Walton Lecture Series, Dr. Dave Doran spoke on the believer’s resource for fighting sin. Dr. Doran turns to Psalm 119:11 and observes that the treasuring of God’s Word helps the believer to not sin. He warns that growing careless about the fight against sin and dismissing the need for holiness is a dangerous territory for believers to live in. It endangers them from fighting sin and prevailing.

Scripture Text

Psalm 119:11; Romans 13:14; Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; Ephesians 3:16

Main Points or Ideas

• The resource: God's Word - Psalm 119:11 declares that treasuring God's Word in the heart is what guards against sin. Doran argues that when believers struggling with a habitual sin look for help, they too often look away from Scripture — toward books, sermons, or secular frameworks — and that this reveals a heart problem. The Word of God that gave the new birth did not lose its power afterward. It is sufficient for the work of transformation. The first move for anyone in a genuine spiritual battle should be God's Word, not a supplement to it.
• The responsibility: treasure it in the heart - Knowing the Bible casually or hearing it constantly is not the same as treasuring it in the heart. Doran distinguishes between absorbing general biblical truth and doing the focused work of finding what God's Word says specifically about the sin being fought — including both the core sin and the contributing heart issues beneath it. Using anger as an example, he shows how Scripture addresses not only the surface pattern but also pride, lack of self-control, and an unforgiving disposition underneath it. The goal is not information but transformation of the way one thinks, feels, and chooses.
• Why this works: preparation for the fight - Treasuring the Word builds resistance in three ways before the moment of temptation arrives. First, it cultivates humility and dependence on God rather than confidence in oneself. Second, it trains the soul for godliness — just as consistent physical training builds strength used in a crisis, consistent yes to the Word builds the discipline to say no to sin. Third, it places the sword of the Spirit in hand before the battle begins. Doran points to Matthew 4: Jesus did not wave Scripture at Satan like a charm; he used specific texts to articulate why he would not yield. The Word gives believers the reason to stay true to Christ in the moment of temptation.

Conclusion

Doran closes by urging students to stop treating their Bibles as trivia atlases and read them as life itself — treasuring specific truths in the heart so that, when temptation comes, they are ready to give the reason from Scripture why they are going to trust God and follow Christ rather than yield.