Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Backsliding » Warnings against
I will hear [with expectant hope] what God the Lord will say,
For He will speak peace to His people, to His
But let them not turn again to folly.
Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].
false Confidence » Self-confidence, an element of insecurity » The danger of
“Now, then, hear this, you who live a luxuriant life,
You who dwell safely and securely,
Who say in your heart (mind),
‘I am [the queen], and there is no one besides me.
I shall not sit as a widow,
Nor know the loss of children.’
Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].
“The pride and arrogance of your heart have deceived you,
You who live in the clefts and lofty security of the rock (Sela),
Whose dwelling place is high,
Who say [boastfully] in your heart,
‘Who will bring me down to earth?’
Peter replied to Him, “Though they all fall away because of You [and doubt and disown You], I will never fall away!”
He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.
You have plowed and planted wickedness, you have reaped the [willful] injustice [of oppressors],
You have eaten the fruit of lies.
Because you have trusted in your own way and your chariots, and in your many warriors,
He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [posing outwardly as upright and in right standing with God], and who viewed others with contempt:
Examples » What and who are examples
just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the adjacent cities, since they in the same way as these angels indulged in gross immoral freedom and unnatural vice and sensual perversity. They are exhibited [in plain sight] as an example in undergoing the punishment of everlasting fire.
For I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, that our forefathers were all under and protected by the cloud [in which God's Presence went before them], and every one of them passed safely through the [Red] Sea, And each one of them [allowed himself also] to be baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea [they were thus brought under obligation to the Law, to Moses, and to the covenant, consecrated and set apart to the service of God]; And all [of them] ate the same spiritual (supernaturally given) food, read more.
And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them [produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality], and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them, for they were overthrown and strewn down along [the ground] in the wilderness. Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did. Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were, as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink [the sacrifices offered to the golden calf at Horeb] and rose to sport (to dance and give way to jesting and hilarity). We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality as some of them did -- "and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell dead in a single day! We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did -- "and were killed by poisonous serpents; Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did -- "and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death). Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period). Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them [produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality], and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them, for they were overthrown and strewn down along [the ground] in the wilderness. Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did. Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were, as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink [the sacrifices offered to the golden calf at Horeb] and rose to sport (to dance and give way to jesting and hilarity). We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality as some of them did -- "and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell dead in a single day! We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did -- "and were killed by poisonous serpents; Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did -- "and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death). Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period). Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
But also [in those days] there arose false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among yourselves, who will subtly and stealthily introduce heretical doctrines (destructive heresies), even denying and disowning the Master Who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their immoral ways and lascivious doings; because of them the true Way will be maligned and defamed. And in their covetousness (lust, greed) they will exploit you with false (cunning) arguments. From of old the sentence [of condemnation] for them has not been idle; their destruction (eternal misery) has not been asleep. read more.
For God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but cast them into hell, delivering them to be kept there in pits of gloom till the judgment and their doom. And He spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven other persons, when He brought a flood upon the world of ungodly [people]. And He condemned to ruin and extinction the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, reducing them to ashes [and thus] set them forth as an example to those who would be ungodly;
For God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but cast them into hell, delivering them to be kept there in pits of gloom till the judgment and their doom. And He spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven other persons, when He brought a flood upon the world of ungodly [people]. And He condemned to ruin and extinction the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, reducing them to ashes [and thus] set them forth as an example to those who would be ungodly;
Heedfulness » Necessary » Against presumption
Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].
Satan » Vanquished promises of ultimate triumph » Watchfulness against sin and temptation
Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
Verse Concepts
AlcoholAdversityevil, origins ofenemies, of believersBitingAttitudes Of WatchfulnessSatan, Titles ForLions, Figurative Use OfLionsPersecution, Nature OfReadinessSatan, As TempterSelf ControlSleep, SpiritualSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictSpiritual Warfare, Causes OfSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InWatchfulness, Of BelieversBeing PreparedSatan, Character Of
Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].
Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.
Verse Concepts
AlertFaithfulness, To GodFaith, As A Body Of BeliefsBeing PreparedBeing A Man Of GodBeing AfraidGuardsSpiritual VitalitySpiritual Warfare, As ConflictStabilityStandingWatchfulness, Of BelieversWeakness, SpiritualDependabilityVigilanceStrength Of PeopleStanding FirmBe Courageous!Be Strong!Not Giving UpCourage
Masculinityfaith in hard timesfaith and strengthFastingStaying StrongCourage And StrengthFaith KjvKeeping FaithStaying Strong And Not Giving UpHope And FaithFaith Hope And LoveHaving FaithStrength And FaithStaying PositiveHope And LoveNever Giving UpBelieving In YourselfStrength And LovepotentialwomanhoodGuarding Yourself
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will muzzle my mouth
While the wicked are in my presence.”
Therefore be continually alert, remembering that for three years, night or day, I did not stop admonishing and advising each one [of you] with tears.
“Only pay attention and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your grandchildren [impressing these things on their mind and penetrating their heart with these truths]—
Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Watchfulness » For the coming of Christ, reasons for » Against sin and temptation
Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
Verse Concepts
AlcoholAdversityevil, origins ofenemies, of believersBitingAttitudes Of WatchfulnessSatan, Titles ForLions, Figurative Use OfLionsPersecution, Nature OfReadinessSatan, As TempterSelf ControlSleep, SpiritualSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictSpiritual Warfare, Causes OfSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InWatchfulness, Of BelieversBeing PreparedSatan, Character Of
Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].
Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.
Verse Concepts
AlertFaithfulness, To GodFaith, As A Body Of BeliefsBeing PreparedBeing A Man Of GodBeing AfraidGuardsSpiritual VitalitySpiritual Warfare, As ConflictStabilityStandingWatchfulness, Of BelieversWeakness, SpiritualDependabilityVigilanceStrength Of PeopleStanding FirmBe Courageous!Be Strong!Not Giving UpCourage
Masculinityfaith in hard timesfaith and strengthFastingStaying StrongCourage And StrengthFaith KjvKeeping FaithStaying Strong And Not Giving UpHope And FaithFaith Hope And LoveHaving FaithStrength And FaithStaying PositiveHope And LoveNever Giving UpBelieving In YourselfStrength And LovepotentialwomanhoodGuarding Yourself
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will muzzle my mouth
While the wicked are in my presence.”
Therefore be continually alert, remembering that for three years, night or day, I did not stop admonishing and advising each one [of you] with tears.
“Only pay attention and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your grandchildren [impressing these things on their mind and penetrating their heart with these truths]—
Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.