The Fall: Before & After‏

“Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” – 1 Corinthians
10:12 NAS

Every moral fall has a history.  There’s no such thing as “a spiritual
blow-out.”  The final and deliberate act of your fall may be sudden
and disastrous, but it’s been growing for some time in a dark area of
your life.  Paul realized that his readers would respond to the danger
of falling in one of two ways.

1. He knew some would say, “That will never happen to me!”  To them
Paul writes, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1
Corinthians 10:12 NAS).  Pride will cause you to believe you’re
immune, and that’s just how the enemy plans it.  We need to heed every
warning the Scriptures provide.  Plus, we are not the only ones at
risk.  When the big oak falls, it usually takes a lot of little ones
with it.

2. He knew others would say, “I’m in too deep, I can never get out.”
To them Paul writes, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is
common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be
tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide
the way of escape also, that you will be able to endure it.” (1
Corinthians 10:13 NAS).  Isn’t that great news?  God not only
understands your struggle, He promises you an exit-strategy: a way to
get beyond it.  A sheep cannot conquer a wolf, but he can beat it
every time by staying close to the shepherd.  So move closer to God
today – and stay there!