Psalm 119:133—“Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.”
As I have pointed out several times before, humans have freedom of choice. We make our own decision whether we are going to obey the word of God or not. But, as David does here, we can pray that, through His providence, God can help us. He will never force us to obey Him; but He can, if we submit to Him, provide means of escape from temptation (I Corinthians 10:13). And part of His ”directing” us is through His word. I can guarantee I will never get drunk if I never to a bar and drink alcohol. If we stay away from evil things and places, in accordance with God’s instructions, we’ll never commit the sins associated with those things and places.
But David asked God for help and no doubt gave Him much of the credit. And we should do the same thing.
He also asked God’s aid to not let any sin have “dominion” over him. We will all sin, but that doesn’t many any one sin has “dominion,” control, over us. The drunkard allows alcohol to have “dominion” over him. The drug user allows the drug to have “dominion” over him. The homosexual allows his perversion to have “dominion” over him. We can, and should, control that, but also petitions God for strength and assistance. If we seriously want to overcome our temptations, and ask for God’s support, then we are in far better condition to avoid sin and its destructive consequences.
God will help if we, too, will do our part by ordering our “steps” according to His word.