And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:7
We must be reminded us of two truths we should never forget. First, remember our own weakness. When we come to Christ, God forgives our past, and He comes to live within us by His Holy Spirit. But our old sinful nature still lives in us also — and if we aren’t on guard, it will try to take over. We’ll discover (as the Apostle Paul did) that “nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature” (Romans 7:18).
Second, we must remember that we are engaged in a spiritual battle — and Satan will do everything he can to defeat us. The Bible says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Never assume you are beyond sin’s reach — for you aren’t. Instead, stay close to Christ, and ask Him to guard you from temptation. And pray for this person and her family, that God will be their strength in the hard days ahead. Encourage them also as God gives you opportunity.
