The Danger of Small Steps
Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church
February 8th Sermon, Day 1
We often think of moral failure as a sudden catastrophe - like a tire blowout on the highway that comes out of nowhere. But that's not how it actually works. King David's story teaches us that spiritual downfalls happen gradually, one small compromise at a time. David didn't wake up one morning and decide to commit adultery and murder. His fall began with seemingly innocent choices - staying home when he should have been with his troops, taking a walk on his roof at the wrong time, allowing his eyes to linger where they shouldn't. Each step seemed manageable, even justifiable.
This is how it works in our lives too. We don't usually plan to hurt our marriages, damage our integrity, or wound our relationship with God. Instead, we make small compromises. We tell ourselves it's just this once, or that we can handle it, or that no one will know. But these small steps create a path that leads us away from where we want to be. The good news is that recognizing this pattern gives us power. When we understand that big failures start with small compromises, we can be more vigilant about the seemingly insignificant choices we make each day. We can ask ourselves: Where is this small step leading me? Is this the direction I want to go? God's grace is available to us not just after we fall, but in every moment when we're tempted to take that first small step away from His best for our lives.
Bible Verse
'In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.' - 2 Samuel 11:1
Reflection Question
What small compromises or 'first steps' in your life might be leading you away from God's best for you?
Quote Spiritual downfalls never happen all at once. They happen one small step at a time.
Prayer
Lord, help me to be aware of the small choices I make each day. Give me wisdom to recognize when I'm taking steps away from You, and the courage to turn back before small compromises become big failures. Amen.
