Well, I will tell you first what you DON’T do. You DON’T sit down and give up! This is exactly what Satan wants you to think should happen. He wants you to believe you are no good and not useful for the cause of Christ anymore. Don’t buy that pack of lies. Let’s take a look at one of Christ’s closest followers, and what happened when he failed to practice what he preached.
Peter
Remember that time in the book of Mark, when Jesus told Peter that he would deny him three times? Do you remember what Peter’s response was to that? He told the Lord there’s no way he would ever deny him. And then this happened…
But he (Peter) began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
Mark 14:71-72
There will be tears…
Naturally, the first thing that should happen when you realize your walk doesn’t match your talk, or your practicing doesn’t match your preaching, is it should break your heart. The definition of repent is: to feel regret or sadness, and to turn from sin and dedicate yourself to a changed lifestyle. Our first step upon realizing we have sinned, is to repent. Ask God to forgive you where you’ve gone astray.
You get back to work…
In Acts 1:15, and 2:14 we see Peter, preaching to people once again. Imagine him being able to use this experience to warn others, that the same can happen to them if they are not careful. Sometimes the experiences we go through and the mistakes we make allow us to be an encouragement to others in a unique way.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38
You fellowship with others and pray…
All too often our first reaction when we realize we have messed up, is to distance ourselves from fellow Christians. Whether we be afraid of their judgment, or simply trying to keep our remorse and guilt to ourselves. Confess it to God, ask Him to help you move past it and then move on. Ask your friends to pray for you. They don’t have to know exactly why or what you are facing. But there is comfort in knowing others are bringing you before the throne of grace. And whatever you do, DON’T STOP GOING TO CHURCH! You need spiritual food and fellowship more now than ever.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:42
You praise God that He will still use a sinner like you…
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 2:47
Thank Him for forgiveness. Be grateful for his long suffering. Thank Him for your ministries, and for the ways he can still use you. Don’t focus on the negative. Don’t let Satan lie to you and tell you it will happen again. Determine in your heart that you will stay close to God. Praise Him for all the good things he has allowed you to have in this live.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Romans 13:11
