Avoiding the fall

The Bible clearly warns that we can all fall. Of course it does not refer to the physical falls that are so common to humans. As a general rule, it is easy to trip, lose balance and fall to the floor . I have seen many times, that unless the person is badly beaten and injured by the fall or is an old man or woman who cannot get up on his own, those who stumble and fall try to get up quickly while looking to the sides in the hope of no one has observed them. The same happens when they stumble, even if they do not fall completely. The mere fact of tripping embarrasses us even though it is a normal and everyday event.

I do not know why, darkly, the habit of laughing or making fun when someone falls is so common. I have seen situations in which those who have fallen have to plead with those next to them: "Don't laugh anymore and help me up."

When Paul talks about the possibility of falling, he remembers the history of God's people in the Old Testament. They had seen the wonders that God worked freeing them from slavery in Egypt and how He miraculously fed and cared for them. However, many fell into behaviors that God despises and suffered the consequences of their deviation. This is why the apostle teaches us that no matter how many spiritual experiences believers have already had, they must remain vigilant, because anyone can fall into temptation or be diverted from God's purpose for their life.

Even those who have been Christians for a long time should never forget that their faithfulness is not a guarantee that exempts them from falling and ruining the testimony of life of many years in a moment. Therefore we must be humble and stay close to the Lord.

If you are a Christian who has faithfully followed the Lord for many years, I congratulate you and thank God for your life. But at the same time, I remind you that although Satan walks like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5: 8) the fall is avoidable if we live in humility and dependence on the Lord. Another proverb warns us: pride is before destruction, and haughtiness of spirit before falling (Proverbs 16-18).

Taking pride in our faithfulness is absurd and dangerous. The strength to remain faithful comes precisely from the humility and dependence that we have on the Holy Spirit.

God bless you!