The last round of the boxing bout seemed to last forever. I thought it would never come to an end. My best effort got me a silver medal but the blows I endured were worth much more than that. The three rounds of three minutes required over 6 months training, exercise, endurance runs and weight loss. It unbelievable the amount of training nine minutes in the ring required. In boxing, it really doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, what matters is getting back up again.
The same applies to our faith as we run the Christian race. In this world, life, situations and the devil throw punches at us. Some we parry, other we dodge while other times we get knocked down. What would be your reaction in such situations? Would you stay down, throw in the towel, wait for the 10 counts or do you get right back up again?Proverbs 24:16For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. - King James Version
The bible admonishes us to be vigilant because our adversary like a roaring lion seeks who to devour. Sometimes we fall sexually due to sincere ignorance, naivety or foolishness. But how do you react when it occurs in your dating relationship, courtship or marriage. Do you let the enemy have a go at you with ease or do you shrug it off and guard up. Yes, you have messed up and let your pants down. You may be pregnant or gotten someone pregnant out of wedlock or perhaps you’ve messed up your marriage. While your may rip the harvest of your actions, you shouldn’t give up and stay down. You need to stand up on your feet, buckle up and ride it out. Don’t let what other people say or think determine your reactions. Just like David did, seek the face of God, forgive yourself and accept God’s forgiveness, that’s if you are genuinely repentant. You owe nobody any excuse, Mike Murdock once said that your enemies would not believe your excuse while your friends would not require it.Psalms 51:10-1210Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. - King James Version
It can be a hard, lonely and difficult path to trend but though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death no evil will befall you. You are still the apple of God’s eye. Having done all to stand, stand this time with the whole armour of God and be not ignorant of the devices of the devil. Flee from every appearances of evil, when it comes to sexual temptation and sin, there is no Rambo! You’ve got to run or else your body would take over. That’s not the time to speak in tongues and cast of demons. You spirit may be willing but the body weak!!
There are heroes of the bible that got knocked down but not knocked out. They got right back up again and fought the good fight of faith. David and Bathsheba, Samson and Delilah, the woman caught in adultery, the harlot that hid the spies from Israel in her roof etc. This is by no means a rubber stamp to take the blood of Christ for granted and indulge in sexual perversion, promiscuity or fornication. Far be it! Rather it is to say that regardless of where you are coming from, or what errors you made in life, God still loves you and wants you to get back on your feet, run the race to the finish line and receive your crown.
