Stand Firm in the Faith

As I browsed the news yesterday my heart was broken as I read the headlines. Once again, another Southern Baptist minister was in the headlines for being caught having an inappropriate sexual relationship. It saddens me and yet is also a stark reminder for my own life because no matter who we are, or what position we are in, we are all still vulnerable to sin. Even though as Christians we are forgiven, we will still reap the consequences that not only affect us but also impact others. How do people get that deep in sin? I’m sure that person did not wake up one day and say to themselves, “Today I think that an affair is really tempting,” or someone else say, “Today, I really feel like I’m going to cheat on a test.” It is often the little choices that we make each and everyday of not choosing Christ and doing instead what we want to do. It’s choosing each day to not pursue Christ but to choose our own selfish desires. There is a famous phrase that is so true that states, “Sow a thought, reap and action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a lifestyle. Sow a lifestyle, reap a destiny.” It all starts with a one thought that in the moment may seem harmless.

1 Peter 5:8-11 states, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

The devil is very good at his game. His tactics are perfected. We need to be prepared for his attack. We need to remain trained and equipped and not vulnerable. We need to daily put on the whole armor of God. If we don’t, the consequences will be great. If we don’t, we will be defeated. God has given us what we need but we must be faithful to depend on Him seeking him with all our heart. The devil may be good at his game, but the Lord is the victor.