In my lifetime I have grieved over a great number of fallen heroes. Let’s not name those that have sold out cheaply in our generation lest we name someone that has recovered without our knowledge. David recovered but paid a terrible price. King Saul and Judas Iscariot did not recover. Almost anyone on this side of eternity can repent and return to honor. Often they don’t repent because the price is usually very great. Pride is the main culprit that blocks the rise of the fallen.

Apostle Paul must have wept over fallen heroes to write his great instruction in the Book of Hebrews. He almost cried out his warning, “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:12-16).

What a warning to the redeemed saints! There is a cloud of witnesses, both from the great saints that have already graduated and from the living. They watch us and certainly cheer us on to victory. Apostle Paul told us in chapter eleven about those graduated heroes and then reminded us of their knowledge of us. It’s thrilling to think of these great members of the kingdom that endured such terrible hardships and then were triumphant in the end. “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Hebrews 11:33-34).

Think of Apostle Paul, who is believed to have died for the Gospel by being beheaded, as a present witness of your faithfulness or lack thereof. Paul spoke of these witnesses as he reminded us of the great challenge of the church of Jesus Christ, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:22-23).

Every born again believer is part of a company of saints, both fighting the good fight and the great company that has already won. Such truth makes me more determined to finish my course and keep the pure faith and to do it with joy.

Satan certainly has a trophy room where he has displayed the fallen heroes from the faith. King Saul occupies a chosen place. Judas Iscariot is visible at the entrance, and this enemy of everything beautiful has his sights set on you. The Bible clearly reminds us to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Jesus told us, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The secret of triumph is “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15).

Satan is witty and looks for your weaknesses. He can easily spot a “weight” that you have not recognized and laid aside. He is ready to pounce on that area with devious words of deception. Probably every one of us has spotted some trick of Satan with barely time to escape. Most of us have discovered a failure after the fact and humbly repented and returned to strength.

Do you have a price that you would sell the pure way to obtain? If you have a price, Satan will pay that price or find someone that will. Every saint of God must live in the whole of the Word of God and obey its every dictates. Nothing in Scripture is there to cheat you or rob you of your best but to protect you from the intruder. The Bible is like a solid barrier on a dangerous mountain highway. It is there not to inhibit but to protect.

Every casualty of the faith started with some small choice to compromise God’s perfect plan. Study the fallen in the Bible and the fallen you have witnessed in your lifetime, and run away from the first sign of turning aside. The Holy Scripture gives us this warning, “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). Satan lost his place when he fell and must search for someone to influence. Do not give him one little compromise or even listen to his suggestion. And remember, he usually finds someone you know to speak for him.