Many Christians think they can fall and rise as they like. I have always said that injuries can heal, but the scars will remain. You may commit a sin and God forgives you, but the consequence of that sin may live with you for the rest of your life and even outlive you. Just one mistake can cause serious problems for even your children yet unborn. In Genesis 16:2, Sarah arranged for Abraham to have an affair with her maid and today, the world is paying for that single mistake.

In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau made a single mistake. He despised his birthright just once and by the time we get to Genesis 27:30-40, the Bible says he came in just as his brother was stepping out after collecting the blessing. He begged for a remnant blessing and his father assured him that he would prosper, living by the sword, but that he would serve his brother. This happened because of just one mistake.

In 2 Samuel 11, David made a mistake which gave birth to several others. The mistake was that he was relaxing at a time when kings typically went to war. He then saw what he wouldn’t ordinarily have seen – a beautiful lady taking her bath. You should ask, “Why was David looking into another man’s compound?” If you give the devil an inch, he wouldn’t just take a mile, but rather, he’ll go for your eternity. Before long, the lady was in his bed. She got pregnant and to hide it, he had her husband killed. God sent a prophet to tell David that the sword would never depart from his home. Even today, the sword has not departed from Israel. It all started with one single mistake of relaxing when he should have been at war.

Some Christians think it is harmless to be sleeping when they should be praying. Before they wake the next day, the devil would have sown tares in their field and they would begin to struggle. The unfortunate thing is that they think the struggle is normal and continue in it rather than get up and pray when they should.

Beloved, do not be ignorant of the devices of the enemy who is going round seeking who to devour (1 Peter 5:. All he needs is one mistake. Do not give it to him.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.