Give-up: Overcoming the Temptation to Abandon the Faith

"Abandoning the faith" is a conscious choice to turn away from following Christ, making something else the centre of devotion and allegiance. Satan's tactics are to turn believers aside from faithfully following Christ, either by definite resolution or by growing cold in their relationship with Him.

Understanding Spiritual Warfare

Satan uses a variety of means to prevent us reaching our God-given potential and goals (Ezra 4:4-5; Jn 10:10). We are in a battle – God versus Satan, and we determine which side receives our allegiance. Our spiritual enemy knows the areas in which we are most vulnerable, making it our responsibility to enlist the Lord's help to resist his attacks (Jas 4:7-8).

Drop-outs are losers (in the long term)

God is the ultimate victor, so don't forfeit your place on the winning side. Be an overcomer, not a defeated, broken person. Although we may fail many times, it is only by refusing to try yet again that we become a failure.

The Bible says the reason why people who lack perseverance don't last the distance is because there is no depth of relationship with Christ to sustain them in testing times. Be determined, making every effort to continue walking with Christ and so ultimately be saved (Mt 7:26-27, 13:21, 24:13; Mk 13:13; Heb 10:38-39).

Do not make any long-term rash decisions when feeling down

The Christian life is never portrayed as an easy option – "For we must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God" (Act 14:22). Are you going to let the devil defeat you in the area that has been allowed as an opportunity for you to become a conqueror?

Practical Steps to Persevere

David, when discouraged and at low points in his life, focused on the Lord (1 Sam 30:6; Ps 42:5-6,11, 43:5). Follow his example: take your eyes off yourself, welcome the Holy Spirit, immerse yourself in God and worship Him. The present situation that presses so hard against you is, if you are yielded to Christ, the best tool to prepare you for eternity.

Continually affirm His Lordship over your life, be spiritually alert, aware of your vulnerable areas, taking care of your physical body and don't neglect your daily devotions. You can't fight the battle on your own – you must enlist God's help besides being in healthy, loving and caring relationships that provide encouragement, prayer and practical support.

Instead of, in your mind, planning to escape (a negative mental exercise), put those same resources into making the situation work positively for you. Work at maintaining and strengthening what you already have, being more determined to press through into victory (2 Chr 15:7; Prov 24:16; Gal 6:9).

Having a positive, overcoming attitude helps – one that doesn’t resign to a ‘poor me’ mindset. The story is told of a donkey that fell into a dry well. The farmer couldn’t get the donkey out, so he thought he would put the donkey out of its misery by burying it with dirt. Shovel after shovel full of dirt was thrown into the well. The donkey shrugged the annoying dirt off its back and stomped on it. Eventually, the level rose sufficiently, enabling the donkey to walk out of its predicament. The moral: don’t allow yourself to be buried, but rise victorious because of the irritations of life.

Decide what is not negotiable – what you will not give up – and fight for it. By giving in, we empower that situation and it will be easier to surrender in other areas. In faith hold onto your dream – Joseph did, and what a blessing he was to so many people because he didn't abandon his calling (Gen 50:20).

Eternal Perspective and Victory

By having a long-term (eternal) perspective, with a correct attitude, remaining committed to the divine plan with our eyes on Jesus, we will be blessed because we persevered under trial. The present hardship is working for us an eternal reward (Rom 5:3-5; 2 Cor 4:17; Heb 12:2; Jas 1:12).

"If God be for us who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31). "What can separate us from the love of God?" To the natural mind many things can but "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him" (Rom 8:35-39). Rather than giving up, the Bible instructs us to "Hold firmly to the faith we profess…Encourage one another" (Heb 4:14, 10:23,25).

Don't give in but press in, don't give up but look up

However, we should give up the sin that so easily entangles, that keeps us from experiencing more of God, and hinders us from successfully completing the race God has for us (Heb 12:1). When the Holy Spirit challenges us to give up something, it is not to our detriment. While many times we must surrender our rights, we must never give up our responsibilities.

Reflection and Application:

Identify areas where you're tempted to give up and commit them to prayer.
Develop daily spiritual disciplines to strengthen your relationship with Christ.
Build supportive relationships that provide encouragement and accountability.
Focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary difficulties.