Slipping

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13
 
  We are told to stand guard and to watch for temptations.  The devil is always trying to catch you in a trap and turn you away from God.  The day you were saved you felt like nothing could come between you and God.  There wasn't a thing out there that would turn you from Him.  There was not a thought in your head that day of what's going to happen in my future that may change how I feel today.  This is great, but at some point you will slip.  It could be a slip and a fall and you're back up or it could be just a slip.  There are events in our life that change our hearts.  This is when it is important to stand firm and be strong in your faith.  
  When we take off our old self and put on the new (day you are baptized) you are to let go of your past and all things you did as a sinner.  "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;: Ephesians 4:22  It doesn't state that this will happen over night nor does it say that you should leave some of the old things and take on only some new things.  This is a process that takes time...a lifetime.  You are and always will be battling temptations to do things like you use to.  I find that when I start slipping I am not in the Word like I should be.  I don't like to admit it but  I slip from time to time.  Sometimes a whole lot more than what I want anyone to know.  I tend to start slipping when I am not attending a Bible study or when I don't take the time to pray and read like I should.  Just like a sin is a sin well a slip is a slip.  You have to ask forgiveness and turn away from it and keep going.  If you don't you can find yourself at the bottom of the slippery slope and wondering how you got there.  You will always have a battle within you.  There will be days that the battle seems like it doesn't exist and then there will be days that you have a full blown war going on.  In the book of James he gives a little explanation, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" James 4:1   Stop and think about when you start slipping.  What is going on in your life?  Is it your old self wanting your attention?  Could it be the lack of attention you are giving God?  The only way to keep the battle as calm as possible is to seek God. Most likely it's both.  The struggle of letting go of the old is hard especially when we aren't talking to God.  Don't only ask God about the big things going on in your life but talk to him about the little things too.  One little slip can lead to a fall and a fall could land you in the deepest darkest pit of your life.  When you start slipping, as I have and do, call on God.  Ask him to forgive you and set you straight.  My friend, you are not alone, everyone slips, but those who cry out are the ones who catch their balance and keep walking.  No one is perfect, except God, so admit your mistakes, remember to cloth yourself daily in Christ and keep walking.  Hold on tight and you will find he is holding you tighter.  We are told to draw near to God in Hebrews, "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22  Please do not be discouraged if you are slipping or have slipped.  We all slip and fall short daily.  I ask that you remember God can and will see you through.  Just turn to him, stick out your hand and let him take care of the rest. God will meet you where you are  and accepts you for who you are today not the person you were or the person you will become.  Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.