A Little Bit At A Time

A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” - James 1:14-15

Do you know someone who has really blown it? The best way to describe their situation is that everything has become an unholy mess. They've made bad decisions. Sin has taken its toll. They are reaping what they have sown. Perhaps their decisions even cost them their freedom.

Additionally, we've all known of high-profile ministers who've made news headlines because of their scandals and sins. Many of them were once effective ministers of the Gospel, but now are trying to pick up the pieces after a tsunami of sin has devastated everything.

How does a person get to such depths of disgrace?

To be honest, all of us are one decision away from disaster. At any moment, we can make a choice that ruins our testimony and costs us the things we value the most. Rather than showing harsh judgment toward those who fail, perhaps we should remember our own vulnerability and pray for these individuals.

More often than not, those who make scandalous headlines didn't fall because of one bad decision. Instead, it was a series of little things that led to their downfall. They strayed a little bit at a time.

This is true of everyone. Whether it is a televangelist, a deacon in your church, a businessman or a member of your family, their path was a gradual decent, followed by a crash at the bottom. It happened just a little bit at a time.

Perhaps it began by missing church services here or there. Eventually they quit going at all. Maybe they slowly got careless about sin and temptation. It could have been the thought that one drug, one drink, or just one stolen dollar is not such a big deal. Soon they are buried in an avalanche of iniquity, unable to dig themselves out.

It is not my intention to criticize those who are hurting from such an experience. Although their pain is self-inflicted, it still hurts. It is still devastating. My heart goes out to such people. Rather than condemning them, I can honestly say, “there but for the grace of God go I.”

Ron Dunn once made a remark I haven't forgotten. He said, “I hate to admit it, but I am capable of anything.” He is right. Think about it for a moment. What if you had acted out an impulsive thought toward somewhere, how would things be for you now? Your anger could have led to an arrest. Your impure thought could have led to adultery. Your greed could have led to embezzlement. If you think you are not vulnerable to such sins, you are not being honest with yourself.

All of us are fallen people. We are humans, with a tendency to sin. Even though our salvation brought about a great change within, we still struggle against sin, the flesh and the devil. It is a daily battle. We can't win it on our own. We must walk in the Spirit so we won't fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

We tend to stray a little bit at a time. Over time, the decline is not very noticeable until we step back and look at our lives objectively. Most never notice until they hit rock bottom.

The Bible gives us practical advise. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” In other words, don't be presumptuous. Don't act like you will never fall.

Goliath never thought he could be defeated. The one unprotected area of his body was the very spot that ultimately cost him his life. Of course, the Lord used David to defeat Goliath, but Goliath thought he couldn't be defeated. Just one rock changed all that.

Brothers and sisters, we need to treat sin seriously. As humans, we tend to underestimate sin and overestimate our ability to resist it. We need to be vigilant about our situation. We need to look to the Lord for the help we need. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING,” (emphasis added). Let's be vigilant!

Perhaps you have drifted a little bit at a time. You've gotten away from church. You've quit serving God. You are no longer reading your Bible. You've allowed compromise to enter your life. All this has happened slowly, just a little bit at a time. STOP! Swallow your pride. Humble yourself. Get right with God today. Get right with others. Get back to doing the things you should be doing.

Let's avoid the downward path of compromise and sin.