Through they years I started a lot of projects. Many of them I never completed. Through the years, I made myself many promises such as, I will eat better, exercise more, become healthier.  Those resolutions last a few weeks.  Why do I quit?  More importantly, why do fall short on my promises to God?

1. Hearts That are Not Pure: Prov 4:23, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Impure hearts can lead us to think bad of others. They can lead to confusion about what is right and wrong. Impure hearts promote hatred and distrust between people.
2. Attacks from Satan: Satan looks for moments of weakness and the areas of our life that are weakest. Notice how he used Simon’s weakness for notoriety as well as Simon’s love of money to manipulate him in Acts 8:9-21. Satan knows your weaknesses.
3. Bad Company: Our parents were and are correct, it is important to be careful whom you choose as friends.  The apostle Paul said it this way  “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ 1 Cor 15:33.” This was Solomon’s downfall as he allowed the influence of those closest to him lead him to neglect keeping God first.
4. Sin is Fun!!! Heb 11:25 says that Moses chose “rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” If sin was not fun, why would we want to do it? But notice the pleasure sin are fleeting – temporary at best.
5. Persecution: Standing for what is right brings opposition. We may not face the same persecution that the early church did. We may never have to literally decide between death or life. We will have to choose what is right over what is easy and will face ridicule and ostracism. But remember, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” Joh 15:19-20. AS Noah learned, the crowd may laugh, but keep building your ark.

What can we do to protect ourselves and others from these things? How can we stay faithful and strong?  I will list some suggestions tomorrow, but what are you thinking?  Leave a comment.

– Scott