Fall Risk

Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Solomon was a wise king and wrote the book of Proverbs.  He loved the Lord.  When he prayed the glory of the Lord filled the temple.  There was not a king like Solomon in all his glory.  As close as he was to the Lord, he fell.  He found himself away from God.  The devil came in and he fell flat on his face.  He realized it, called on the Lord and got back up.  He said for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Every one of us has fallen.  It happens quickly and can happen at any time.  You’re walking along and the next thing you know, you’re down.  Don’t think you’re above sin, that you’ll never come short and fall spiritually.  Simon Peter learned that lesson as did many others.  Because of our human nature, falling is possible.

What do you do after a fall?  The Lord is there to help.  If God chooses not to catch us in the fall, he’s still there to pick us up.  Our risk is greater than we think.  We come to church and do what’s right.  Well, don’t brag too much on yourself.  Stay in recognition of the old man.  He’s with is and that makes us prone to falling.  I’ve seen people come up in the Lord for years and fall.  It happens.  The best thing we can do is pray Lord, make us aware of our humanity.  Jesus warned Simon Peter that he would fall.  He said Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  Peter spoke back to Jesus and said Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.  Jesus then told him Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.  And it happened.  Peter had to eat his words.  None of us are infallible.  We’re not above temptation.  We’re not above sin.  That’s what the Pharisees thought.  They were totally blind to how fallen they were.  Be hesitant. Admit your risk of falling.  It’s not just seniors; any of us can fall.  That’s why we need Jesus every hour.

Judas by transgression fell.  Instead of repenting unto God, his remorse was unto himself.  He didn’t ask Jesus for forgiveness.  He hanged himself.  Don’t do what he did and keep falling.  You mess up and wreck your faith.  The devil beats you down.  We don’t have to be like Judas.  Demas was a helper to the early church.  The world pulled him away.  In Paul’s last letter he wrote that Demas had forsaken him because he loved the world more than God.  Demas didn’t get back up.  On the other hand, Peter was up and down.  He’s the one who drew his sword in defense of Jesus in the garden and a short time later he was following the Lord afar off—his first mistake.  That’s when we get into trouble.  We follow the Lord from afar.  Peter denied the Lord even cursing and swearing he didn’t know him.  He went out a wept bitterly.  Later he found the other disciples.  He had let them down as well as the Lord.  There were no greater words than to hear that Jesus was alive.  The message from Jesus was to go tell his disciples and Peter that he was alive.  Peter and John ran to the tomb.  John outran Peter but stood at the door.  Peter ran on in.  He got his forgiveness.  Did he fall again?  Yes he did.  Maybe we, like him, just need to pick up our feet so we don’t fall as much.  Peter finally got straightened out.

When we fall, we can blame no one but ourselves.  We can’t blame God or the devil.  Are we a fall risk?  Yes.  If you have fallen, come back.  If you’ve not fallen, realize your risk.  Pray.  Talk to the Master.