How to Prevent Falling
In the world, we utilize many warning systems to prevent falls. If someone has just mopped there is usually a wet floor sign. If there is a curb or ledge of some sort we often warn "watch your step (or if you are British "mind the gap.") On stairwells and escalators, there are handrails to steady ourselves. Why are these measures taken? The answer is simple, falls can happen when the proper precautions are not taken. Falls can cause great physical damage, especially for small children and the elderly. A broken bone can cause not just great pain and discomfort, it can have serious long-term effects on certain individuals.
If we take such precautions to prevent, or at least minimize, the chances of physical falls, should we not be more vigilant in preventing spiritual falls? The Holy Spirit gives us many directives on preventing falling into sin. The consequences of such falls, if not repented of, will have the worst eternal consequences. God cares for the sinner and the saint. He wishes one to come to salvation and the other to remain among the saved. Let's consider one such example of how to prevent falling.
Be Dilligent in Faith,Virtuous, and Knowledgable
“Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5)
If we are going to be diligent in faith, we must daily be working on growing in faith. How is this achieved? We take account of how we are living out our faith. What do you spend your time doing; are you making time daily for the study of God's Word, and prayer? Are you diligent in worship of God and fellowship with the saints? Is that which we claim is the most important part of our life not shown by our daily practices? That is a trip hazard.
The benefit of diligent faith is that it leads to virtuous living. This type of living is morally correct. Why might this be important? The answer is that immoral living is a trip hazard. We have seen many who have tripped over God's teaching about many moral issues. We have to commit ourselves to virtuous living and the only way this is achieved is by knowledge of God's Word. We can avoid fall hazards by knowing what the warning signs say.
Be In Control of Yourself, Be Patient, Be Godly
And in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness; (2 Peter 1:6)
Knowledge pushes us to act upon what we have learned and put it into practice. That requires self-control. Self-control is part of our lives in Christ. We learn to resist the temptation to ignore the warnings and not watch how and where we are walking. This teaches us patience. When we control ourselves and not let our emotions control us, we are quick to prevent rash anger, lust, revenge, and any other trip hazards. Godly living is a product of all the aforementioned behaviors. If we seek to be like God, we will live holy and blameless lives that watch out for trip hazards.
Be One Who is Kind, Be One Who Loves
“And in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.” (2 Peter 1:7)
We could use more kindness in our world. There is a constant unkindness that is based mainly on selfish wants. Christians are reminded that our kindness is elevated; it is a call to, first, brotherly kindness. We have to remember that in the Lord's church, we are siblings who have the same Father. When an opportunity for division occurs, we must respond in brotherly kindness. This is the predecessor to true love. If we love our brethren, we will be kind; if we love the lost, we will be kind. Through the Bible you can show someone that they are lost and still be kind about it. Can we be kind and loving? If we do, we avoid fall hazards.
Remember That We are Walking in Faith. When You do That, You will Never Stumble.
“For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 2:8-11)
We are not sedentary, we are walking in faith. Due to the progressive nature of our lives, we keep putting one foot in front of the others. A couple of weeks ago I was in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and there were log bridges with one handrail over creeks. There were steps hewn in the rocks, and on two occasions, I chose to not take the bridge but the natural crossing. I had to focus on where I put my feet on the rocks that protruded out of the water. Was it stable? Could I make the jump and not fall into the water and get wet? These are all questions that we have to answer. Am I watching how I walk? Paul recorded elsewhere, "Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph 5:15-16). The Christian walk is an alert walk mindful of the gaps that present opportunities to fall.
The Christian does not have to fall. When we are mindful to live out our faith diligently, virtuously, and with the knowledge of the Scripture, we arm ourselves with protective understanding. The Word of God serves as guardrails helping us through the dangerous and even routine moments of our lives. When we make these things our priorities, self-control helps us to resist temptations and builds patience for whatever we find ourselves in. The necessary result is that we become more and more like our Father, our godliness is growing daily. Our interpersonal relationships with others (especially our brethren) will greatly improve as far as we are concerned. In the end, when we intently and constantly watch how we walk, we will not fall. Let's go to heaven!
Grace and Peace.
R.D. Beavers
