How To Avoid A Fall
1) Don't Be Too Self Confident And Forget Jesus
The first way to avoid a fall is don't be too self confident and forget Jesus. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Remember Jesus said at John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. In other words without Jesus we can do nothing. Determine today to obey 1 Corinthians 10:31 that says Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Let people everywhere see Jesus and not you in everything we do to fulfill 1 Corinthians 1:31 that says That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Don't be like Peter and be too self confident and experience a fall that led to a thrice denial of Jesus. Peter's self confidence is stated at Matthew 26:33 that says Peter answered and said unto Him (Jesus), Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto Him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Note that all the disciples including Peter were too self confident and eventually forsook Jesus. Mark 14:50 says And they all forsook Him (Jesus), and fled.
Peter's self confidence led to a fall and thrice denial of Jesus. Peter even began to cuss like a sailor denying that he ever heard of Jesus; On his third denial before a damsel in the palace, a maid on the porch, and Malchus (the man who remembered that Peter had injured his ear healed by Jesus), the cock crew and you had a preachin chicken and a chicken preacher face to face. Unlike Peter, deny yourself daily (Say to that man or woman you see in the mirror every morning What are you up to today and deny your flesh) take up your cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).
Instead be like John the Baptist and say John 3:30: He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease. Then rejoice and say Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Remember one person plus Jesus equals victory. 1 Corinthians 15:57 promises But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Be like Jonathan and his armorbearer at Michmash believing that there is no restraint to save by many or by few. 1 Samuel 14:6 tells us And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us; for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.
Don't Be Too Self Confident Like Goliath and Nebuchadnezzar
And Experience A Fall
Don't be too self confident like Goliath and Nebuchadnezzar and experience a fall. Goliath's self confidence by mocking little David led to his fall. Goliath's fall is recorded at 1 Samuel 17:50 that says So David prevailed over the Philistine (Goliath) with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him. David got the victory over Goliath because he fought Goliath in the name of the Lord.
Nebuchadnezzar's self confidence by boasting about his power over everything led to his fall. Nebuchadnezzar's pride turned him into a creature that ate grass as oxen where his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hairs were grown like eagle's feathers and his nails like bird's claws. But after Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself and honored God, his understanding returned and he was restored as king again (Daniel 4:33-37).
How To Avoid A Fall
2) Don't Neglect Prayer
The second way to avoid a fall is don't neglect prayer. Don't be like Peter and fall, failing to pray while you become lazy and sleep to much. At the Garden of Gethsemane Peter fell asleep, failing to protect Jesus because he forgot to pray. Matthew 26:40-41 tells us And He (Jesus) cometh unto the disciples and findeth them asleep and saith unto Peter, What could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Unlike Peter, stay awake and keep praying daily to avoid a fall. Proverbs 20:13 says Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. Proverbs 23:21 says For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. Get out of the bed early and pray every morning to avoid a fall and experience victory in your life. The Lord Jesus told us at Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me.
Don't let the cares of the world make you neglect prayer and fall; Remember the warning at Luke 21:34 that says And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Instead be like Hezekiah and pray daily to avoid a fall. When Hezekiah received threatening letters from Sennacherib, Hezekiah prayed and spread out the threatening letters to God. God heard Hezekiah's prayers and in one night only one angel killed 185000 enemies and caused Sennacherib to flee where his own sons killed him (2 Kings 19:35-37). Like Hezekiah, Jesus told us at Luke 18:1 Men ought always to pray and not to faint. Wake up everyone and keep praying to avoid a fall; Let's all obey Galatians 6:9 that says And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (remember according to Luke 18:1 we faint not and reap blessings when we always keep praying).
You Can Spend Your Time Agonizing In Prayer Or Organizing
Unfortunately most churches overorganize and underagonize in prayer
There's nothing wrong with organization
But we also need some agonization in prayer
Every person that accomplished anything for God was a person of prayer
DL Moody and Charles Finney had great revivals with thousands saved
Because hundreds of people prayed while Moody or Finney preached
How To Avoid A Fall
3) Don't Doubt Failing To Make A Decision About Jesus
The third way to avoid a fall is don't doubt failing to make a decision about Jesus. You're either for or against Jesus; Remaining neutral failing to make a decision about Jesus is a rejection of Jesus. Jesus said at Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Jesus has nothing to do with lukewarm people who neither accept or reject Jesus. Jesus said at Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Right now stop doubting and being lukewarm; Instead receive Jesus today and get saved; Repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again.
Don't be like Peter and follow Jesus afar off with doubt while you choose the pleasures of this fading world. Luke 22:54 says Then took they Him (Jesus) and led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. Notice that Peter was close to Jesus when things were going good and Lazarus was raised from the dead and when 5000 were fed with just two fishes and five loaves of bread. But when trouble arose and Jesus was led to be crucified, Peter followed afar off.
Note that Peter didn't completely quit; Peter just followed afar off. Like Peter a lot of christians stay close to Jesus when things are going good. But when troubles arise, these same christians follow Jesus afar off failing to attend church while they neglect to read their bibles. Unlike Peter, keep preaching, reading your bible, and attending church in the good and the bad times. Remember Jesus is the Word so in order to receive perfect peace daily keep your mind stayed on the Word Jesus to overcome trouble. Isaiah 26:3 promises Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Jesus and the Word of God). because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
Don't isolate yourself when you face troubles and follow Jesus afar off. Instead, continue to attend church and fellowship with your brothers and sisters to overcome trouble. Fellowship is important because Jesus said at Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Remember one person can only put 1000 devils to flight; but two people praying in fellowship can put 10000 devils to flight with a prayer 10 times more powerful. Deuteronomy 32:30 says How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight; except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?
Don't be like the squirrel pictured above who doubts and can't decide which way to turn to avoid an approaching car. Usually the last second, the squirrel will move away from a car. Instead don't wait to make a decision about Jesus. Right now and not tomorrow is the time to accept Jesus and avoid trouble. Jesus said at 2 Corinthians 6:2 I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation.
How To Avoid A Fall
4) Don't Fear People's Opinion About Your Belief In Jesus
The fourth way to avoid a fall is don't fear people's opinion about your belief in Jesus. Remember Proverbs 29:25 tells us The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Right now say Hebrews 13:6: So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember the wise words of Jeremiah 17:5-8 that says Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Don't be like Peter who denied Jesus because of the fear of man. Luke 22:58 tells us And after a little while another saw him (Peter) and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said Man I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed saying of a truth this fellow also was with him for he is a Galilean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately while he yet spake, the cock crew. Unlike Peter, don't be ashamed of Jesus and confess Jesus everywhere. When you are in the perfect will of God, no person or anything can harm you. Jesus told us at Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Remember Jesus' words at Matthew 10:28 that says And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear Him (Jesus) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
How To Avoid A Fall
5) Don't Associate With Evil Companions
The fifth way to avoid a fall is don't associate with evil companions. Proverbs 13:20 tells us He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness and sin not; for some have not he knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. In other words evil communications with evil companions will stop you from witnessing Jesus to lost sinners who have no knowledge of the Lord Jesus. The result will be lost sinners who failed to hear the Word and ended up in the lake of fire.
Now christians are in the world but they are not of the world. We need to witness to lost sinners who are drunkards, drug addicts, criminals, and prostitutes. But witness to these sinners in public places like restaurants, Walmart, or at church. Don't witness to these lost sinners though when they are committing crimes at their personal homes. But the Holy Spirit will tell you when these sinners get delivered and when it's a blessing to visit their homes and lift up the Lord Jesus.
Don't be like Peter who associated with evil companions by warming himself by the fading fires of this world enjoying the temporary pleasures of sin that end in misery. Luke 22:55 says And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. Wow Peter warmed himself by the enemy's fire. Peter got his thrill the same way sinners in the world got their thrill.
Don't be like Peter and get your thrills the same way the world gets its thrills (warming yourself by the world's fire). In other words when you get your thrills the same way sinners in the world get their thrills (smoking pot, drinking beer, fornicating, cussing, and wasting all day texting on your cellphone and posting gossip on facebook) you're falling away from God. Remember James 4:4 says Ye adulterers and adulteresses, Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. It's easy to float downstream with the world's current. But decide today to live for Jesus and go upstream against the world's current. You know that you are growing with Jesus when you become less like the world. When you get saved for Jesus, you don't have to worry about leaving your sinful friends; Your sinful friends will leave you. But rejoice because God will give you new christian friends to lift up our Lord Jesus.
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Choose To Live For Jesus Instead Of Worldly Pleasures Avoiding A Fall
Click This Youtube Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vwqOgexx3A
And Sing The Words Below To The Hymn I Am Resolved
Jesus Bless You All
I am resolved no longer to linger charmed by the world's delight
Things that are higher; Things that are nobler; These have allured my sight
I will hasten to Him; Hasten so glad and free
Jesus greatest highest; I will come to thee
I am resolved to go to the Saviour; Leaving my sin and strife
He is the true one; He is the just one; He has the words of life
I am resolved and who will go with me; Come friends without delay
Taught by the bible; Led by the Spirit; We'll walk the heavenly way
I have enjoyed writing this bible study that I pray in Jesus name blesses multitudes all over this earth with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
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