Ps. 37:23-24- The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Verse 23 reveals the Lord directs and delights in the ways of a good man (one who is saved and seeking the Lord’s Will). Verse 24 shows that even though he’s not perfect and capable of falling, God doesn’t forsake but seeks to restore him. I’m interested in what causes a good man to fall.
The Steps of a Fallen Man!
*they begin with…
1. Looking!
Gen. 13:10-11- And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
2. Listening!
*listening to the devil will always lead you away from God!
3. Learning!
*be careful, learning too much of this world’s humanistic philosophy has caused many to fall!
4. Leaning!
*if there’s not a proper scriptural balance, one tends to lean toward fleshly desires and worldly influences thus causing one to “fall over”.
5. Longing!
*the prodigal son’s fall began with longing for what he thought would be something better than what he had. Satan is subtle and knows how to package his poison to make it look so appealing. The grass isn’t greener on the other side but quite the contrary!
6. Lunging!
*once someone has looked, listened, learned, leaned, and longed for something; invariably they’ll lunge after it! We must fight against the pull of the world, lust of the flesh, and temptation of the devil or we will stumble and fall!
Note: Falling leads to Failure!
Failure is accompanied with…
-Shame!
-Sorrow!
-Scars!
Note: Failure can end in Forgiveness!
One doesn’t have to be utterly cast down! -v. 24
Praise the Lord there’s forgiveness after a fall and there’s a scar to remind us of the consequences! But friend, you don’t have to fall. The Holy Spirit in you can help you overcome every temptation! Keep your eyes on Jesus and you’ll never fall! -Pastor Doug Foster
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