If You Think You Are Standing Firm, Be Careful That You Don't Fall

                                                 When The Door Slams    

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.                                                                                                               (1 Corinthians 10:11-13 NIV ) 

            When you are under pressure, are you a reactor or a responder? When you are face-to-face with the giant of lust or jealousy--when your emotions are redlined--do you find yourself thinking, Oh, God, I know what I should do. I know what I ought to do. I know I should just walk away. But I don't know if I can do it? If pressure or temptation automatically pushes you into the reaction mode, you are destined for failure most of the time. Why? It is a sure sign that you are trying to produce righteousness on your own.

            You may be tempted to argue that there is no time to exercise faith before exercising will. Not in the real world anyway. Things happen too fast. We are usually taken off guard. Weak minded Christians think there is no way to get a jump on temptation, rejection and jealousy...

            Yes we can get a jump on temptation, rejection and jealousy; we can make the first move. Let me ask you, how many days a week, on the average, are you tempted? How many days a week are you forced to deal with some inordinate emotion that has the potential of doing serious damage to your reputation and relationships if expressed? For me, it averages out to seven days a week. And I imagine the same is true for you. We know it's coming. Therefore, the wisest thing to do is to begin every day by exercising out faith against the anticipated onslaughts. 

            We don't need to wait until we are in the thick of the battle to claim the promises of God. By that time it's too late. Certainly there is time to express faith in the Holy Spirit when you see things buildings. But even better, go ahead and exercise your faith before the struggle begins. And when it does, you will think, I have already dealt with this in prayer.

            Think about this: A responder activates his faith before he activates his will. He believes before he behaves...The Holy Spirit dwells in you and is ready to go to work producing the character of Christ through you. All He needs is your faith. His green light is your willingness to say, "Holy Spirit, I cannot handle this. I am not even going to try. Respond through me. Give me Your perspective on all of this. I trust you my Lord God in Jesus name.

            Renewal: Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the the word of God (Ephesians 6:13-17 NIV).

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heard and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.                                    

                                                 Never Rest Ministries