An Unguarded Strength

By Greg Laurie, Op-ed contributor Friday, July 16, 2010

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. - 1 Corinthians 10:12

I find it interesting that some of the great men of the Bible who were known for certain things fell in those very areas. When we think of Elijah, courage comes to mind. He walked into the court of Ahab and Jezebel, the king and queen of Israel, and told them it would not rain, except at his word. He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest that was won as he called upon the name of the Lord. Yet later we read how he ran and hid in a cave because Queen Jezebel put out a contract on his life.

Samson was known for his superhuman strength in which he could kill Philistines with a bone or whatever objects that happened to be around at the time. Yet Samson was brought down in immorality.

We know of Abraham's faith, yet he lied on at least two occasions by saying that his wife Sarah was his sister, for fear of what would happen to him.

The Bible warns, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Sometimes the areas in which you fall are the areas in which you think you are the strongest. If you know you are weak in a certain place, then you will keep your guard up. But if you think you are strong in another place, then you will lower your guard.

But know this: an unguarded strength is a double weakness. You may be cautious in your area of vulnerability but lower your guard in the area in which you think you are strong. And that just might be the area in which you fall.

So be careful. It is just when you think you are not going to fall that you are in greater danger of falling.