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It Doesn't take long to fall
“It Doesn’t Take Long To Fall”
Introduction
A Christian’s life must be a thoroughly disciplined life. It must be a life of constant prayer, study, meditation, self-discipline, and examination. Perhaps you have considered those thoughts, and, you have concluded that, though you still have room for improvement, generally, you find yourself to be accomplishing these. If you consider that you are a growing Christian who tries to follow God’s word in every decision, then, this article is especially for you. This article is written to cause the words of the inspired apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12 to permeate the hearts of the strong. “Therefore let anyone who think that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Perhaps you have been a Christian for many years. Or, perhaps you haven’t; yet, have given your entire life to the Lord. Whatever your situation, you must know and understand that it doesn’t take long to fall!
You have probably known a Christian that manifests the idea conveyed by this article. One who had always appeared to serve the Lord, to put Him first in his/her life. Call to your mind such an example as first-hand experience of the admonition given in 1 Corinthians 10:12.
Christian, we all face temptations. We all face particular struggles in our spiritual lives. Yet, we need to take notice of the passage that immediately follows the one we have already considered. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). Temptation is not an excuse for sinning. There’s a way of escape, provided by the Almighty Creator Himself! Yet, we must exercise the proper care to escape them!
Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve were placed in a beautiful garden. They had access to the tree of life and to all that they needed. They knew the law that God had given to them (“of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”; Gen. 2:17), and, for however long, were obedient to it. They were truly blessed by God and enjoying the fruit of being in a relationship with Him.
However, this situation did not last. The culprit: Sin! Through the deception offered by Satan, Eve was willing to disobey God’s law (later, Adam was willing to do the same). Satan offered something that Eve desired (“it was a delight to the eyes and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise”; Gen. 3:6). The result: A fall. They were drove out of the garden and given punishments for their disobedience. It didn’t take long for Adam and Eve to fall!
David
David was enjoying the blessings of following the Lord God. Even prior to becoming king of Israel, David was being blessed and was being delivered out of the hands of Saul and his other enemies. Those blessings and deliverance continued throughout the early part of his reign as king. David was a man after God’s own heart and God was with him.
However, one late afternoon, David got up from his couch and walked out on the roof. From there, his eyes beheld a beautiful woman bathing. Rather than turning away and forgetting what he saw, David inquired about her. After learning that she was a married woman (the wife of Uriah the Hittite), David still pursued. His selfishness led him to committing adultery, thereby breaking God’s law! Even further, David’s sin led him into other sin – specifically, the sin of murder (breaking another of God’s commandments). Suddenly, this man, who had been diligent to keep the Lord’s commandments, now found himself in sin! It didn’t take long for king David to fall!
Solomon
The next of Israel’s kings was Solomon. Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom and is known as the wisest man to ever live (with the exception of Jesus Christ Himself) to this day. Solomon was also greatly blessed, receiving a vast amount of wealth. Solomon was even in charge of the construction of the temple! Solomon became well-known throughout the land! A certain “queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord” (1 Kings 10:1).
However, even this wise man fell. Solomon repeatedly issued warnings about “strange women” and such in the book of Proverbs. Yet, “King Solomon loved many foreign women” who turned the heart of Solomon away from following the Lord God (see 1 Kings 11:1-8). This king, who had been given wisdom and had been blessed by God, now found himself serving idols and walking foolishly! It didn’t take long for Solomon to fall!
Peter
Peter, one of the Lord’s apostles, was dedicated to following after Christ. He saw the Lord performing miracles and received instruction from Him. It was Peter who answered Christ and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16).
However, even in the life of one of the apostles we find the statement given in 1 Corinthians 10:12 to be true. When the disciples were in a boat during a storm, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. Peter requested that, if it was indeed Christ, that Jesus would command Peter to come to Him on the water. Upon the command to “Come,” Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water! Peter had been successful! He had displayed His faith in Christ and came to Him on the water! However, Peter observed the wind and became afraid and cried out to the Lord for help. Suddenly, this man who had walked on the water to go to Jesus was called “O you of little faith” (Matt. 14:31). It didn’t take long for Peter to fall!
Another occasion in Peter’s life demonstrates the same point. After Jesus had foretold that all would fall away from Him that night, Peter resoundingly said, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away…Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you” (Matt. 26:33, 35). Peter was prepared. Peter was dedicated. Or, so he thought. Later, after Jesus had been arrested, Peter was questioned about his association with Jesus. Three times he was asked. And, all three times, Peter denied the Lord. It didn’t take long for Peter to fall!
Conclusion
There are certainly other examples in the Scriptures that manifest this same point. However, these well-known examples ought to cause our minds to be reminded of the need to observe the admonition given in 1 Corinthians 10:12. We must each realize that past success does not prevent future failure Rather, if we want to continue to be successful, we must continue to follow the same “success strategies.” Christian, take heed lest you fall! For, it doesn’t take long for even a righteous person to fall!
- Eric Krieg –
“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
