Take Heed

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (emphasis mine)

I really need to make this quick and hope that someone will read this and it will get down into the bone and marrow of your belief. We can walk many miles in freedom with Christ and find ourselves in a pit in a New York minute if we are not on guard against the wiles of the evil one. If you are playing with fire, you will get burned. I know. We, in our flesh (that is walking in the flesh) are capable of any amount of sin. Watch yourself. Guard your heart. Assess yourself and see where the enemy may be targeting you (loneliness, a relationship with a non-believer, a relationship with someone else other than your husband that may be going to far, worldliness, laziness, pride, gossip...whatever) and shut the door on Him with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. Do not think for one second that you have things under control and that you can manage your sin. Fast, pray, run, do whatever you can to hold to the truth and do not think that you are any match for the devil. Even if it is thoughts that you are struggling with and you have strongholds in your mind...POUR THEM OUT TO THE LORD. Carry scripture with you, keep the word close and use it...do battle with the weapons God has given you (the full armor of God) and in the power of the Spirit. We live in desperate times. Even tonight, we had rented a movie that was PG-13 and to my horror this girl completely bares her chest for the world to see. I immediately got up and snatched that dvd out of the player. I was so offended. And yet people think that is O.K. for a 13 year old to see. What are things coming to!!
We all need to know that we are capable of falling into sin and becoming ensnared in a second. So if you have been on a pedestal of pride...get yourself down now. Humble yourself before our precious God. Choose truth over feelings. I say this because I know what it is like for the roaring lion to have me in his mouth trying to destroy me. Our God is greater... and listen, if you have taken a spill...you choose to believe God that He can, does, and will restore you (of course I am not saying go sin so grace may abound). Don't listen to satan's lie that you should quit being in the word or quit serving. STAY in the Word. It is your lifeline to truth. When Christ died on the cruel cross He died for your sins that He knew you would already commit. Bask in His forgiveness and pray for godly sorrow that leads to repentance and a heart to love Him and a heart that holds fast to Him and His words alone.

Genesis 4:7

7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Isaiah 7:9

9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son.
If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.' "

Father, I want to pray for whoever is reading this that they would believe you. That you would give them courage and that they would humble themselves before You. You are what we need yet we get bored and lose faith. We chase after other, lesser, things...when you were there all along. And we all like sheep have gone astray. God, please give whoever is reading this the guts to get up and believe you. Believe you that you can keep them from falling, and believe in Your forgiveness if they have already fallen. LORD, give us passion for You. Help us in this time we live in. Thank you that you did not leave us as orphans. Protect us God so that we will bring glory to Your Name and not reproach. Father, we are so sorry for our pride. Help us to be a people that help snatch others from the flame. We need You Lord. We need You. Fall on us like rain. Help my fellow struggler who thinks she can't be free. Surround her with shouts of deliverance. Thank you that you cover us Lord and that you take us back. In Your redemptive Name, Amen.