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We Must Always Be on Guard

We Must Always Be on Guard
By Walker Wildmon

Regarding corporations and banking institutions, there is a saying that some of these are “too big to fail.” The idea is that some institutions are so powerful and vital to the well being of a nation or state that they must not be allowed to fail. Their success is vital. One thing that history has shown is that no one man is too big to fall.

From the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis to men throughout world history who have failed to live up to God’s standards, this is known as the sin problem. God created Adam and Eve without sin but only three chapters into the Bible they fall into sin and eat from the tree which God said not to touch or eat from (Genesis 3:1-19). Because of original sin, into which we are all born, the only way to evade the eternal punishment of sin (hell) is to trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin.

In Ephesians, Paul says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” (Ephesians 1:7-8). If you grew up in church or have been a believer in Jesus Christ for any amount of time then you’ve heard this gospel countless times. The amazing thing is that the gospel of Jesus Christ never loses its power and is always available to those who choose to believe.

Faithful Christians endeavor to avoid sin at all cost by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. Two verses come to mind:

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:7-10).3

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Being naturally weak in the flesh, it is very important for believers to stay alert and on guard regarding temptations that might come our way. Whether it’s lying, cheating, stealing, or sexual sin, we must remain on guard. Satan would love nothing more than to destroy the life of a Christian through sin. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This analogy of the good shepherd should cause us to be on guard when it comes to the “thief.” The thief being anything or anyone that tempts us with the goal of causing us to sin.

We live in a day and age where temptations abound. Christians in America live in a Romans 1 society. One where the desires of the flesh dominate. Because of this challenge to flee temptation and avoid sin, let me remind us all of these timeless and powerful words from the Apostle Paul:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-12).

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