There are many experiences and stories in the Bible that talk about how people fell because of being complacent.If we don’t watch our steps, we can fell slip spiritually especially in easy times. So we need to be careful at all times. The Bible says,

Pro 4:26  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

If we think we are standing firm, that we are strong enough, that we are spiritually strong to stand against many atrocities of life, better think again. We are not strong as we may think. Many characters in the Bible might seem to stand against life’s tests and trials, but many of them, as we have seen fell from the prey of the devil.

Paul says, we need to be careful. 1Co 10:12  If you think you are standing firm you had better be careful that you do not fall.

How do we know that we are strong enough? How do we know that we will not fail? How do we know that we will stand all tests and trials that will come our lives? The answer is no, we don’t know. We need to assess our selves every time tests and trials come to us.

In the Bible, we can only tell that a faithful is strong if he continue to have hope amidst the painful experiences of life. A faithful hasa hope and trust in God in everything he does. He keep himself always trusting in God instead of believing in himself. Believing in one’s self and putting God aside is a start of downfall.

Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

If we keep on holding on to God, would we slip away? If we keep our trust and hope in the Lord would we fail? The answer is no. Without doubt, we will surely stand firm against everything if we keep on holding on to what we have received from God, that is, His words, His commandments, His love and His mercy on us.

How do we know that we are holding on?

Christians in the Bible hold on to the teachings of Christ. The words of God are their strength, without them, they will surely fall and fail. So, to be able to stand firm, we need also to hold on to the teachings that we received. 1Co 11:2  I praise you because you always remember me and follow the teachings that I have handed on to you.

The teachings must be planted and rooted in our hearts very deep so that not even the devil himself cannot take it away from us. This is what Paul told the early Christians during his time. Col 2:7  Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.

How do we know that it is deeply rooted in Him?

2Ti 2:19  But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: “The Lord knows those who are his” and “Those who say that they belong to the Lord must turn away from wrongdoing.” This means that anyone who says he is a Christian and storng in faith but fail to turn away from the wickedness of this life is not yet firm and strong. Those who can control themselves and turn away from evil of this world are guaranteed to grow in faith.

Until when?

The answer is until the end, until we succeed and be given the gift and prize of salvation.

Heb 3:14  For we are all partners with Christ if we hold firmly to the end the confidence we had at the beginning.

Rev 2:25  But until I come, you must hold firmly to what you have.

Rev 3:11  I am coming soon. Keep safe what you have, so that no one will rob you of your victory prize.

To sum it all up, we must not be complacent and be boastful as if we are always strong and firm in our faith, the truth is we are always vulnerable to commit mistakes and sins. Guard ourselves at all times! Guard it with faith and prayers…