Gaining Ground, Losing Ground, Moving Forward

Our Inheritance in Christ

The Christian life is not a random journey but an inheritance to be received and walked out. Paul writes in Colossians 1:12: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” God Himself has qualified us—this inheritance is not earned by our performance but given through Christ.

Again in Ephesians 1:3 we are reminded: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Everything we need to live the life God calls us to—victory, wisdom, strength, grace—is already given to us in Christ. We are not trying to earn our inheritance; we are learning to walk into it.

A Pattern in the Old Testament

The Old Testament gives us a vivid picture of this process. The land of Israel was the inheritance of the people of God. In the book of Joshua we see how they “took the land” step by step, city by city, victory by victory.

God said to Joshua in Joshua 1:2–5: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, cross this Jordan… Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you… No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you.”

The same principle applies to us: every promise of God in Christ becomes ours as we step into it by faith. We take ground spiritually the way Israel took ground physically.

What Happens When We Stumble?

Israel’s story also warns us. After the mighty victory at Jericho, Israel suffered a surprising defeat at the small town of Ai (Joshua 6–7). This teaches us two things:

1. Great victories do not make us immune to temptation or defeat.
2. We cannot coast on yesterday’s success; we need God’s presence and dependence every day.

When we lose a battle or give in to temptation, it does not mean our inheritance is gone. Instead, we humble ourselves before God, identify why we stumbled, repent, make changes, and then rise to go forward again. God’s grace is greater than our failure.

Jesus’ Radical Call to Deal with Temptation

Jesus spoke plainly about dealing with sin in Matthew 5:29–30: “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out… If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off…” His words remind us that we must decisively cut off whatever causes us to sin—habits, environments, or influences that pull us away from Him.

The Reality of Stumbling

Who walks perfectly? James says plainly in **James 3:2**: “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man.” We all need grace. This keeps us humble, dependent on God, and compassionate toward others.

Speaking Life When We Fall

What we say to ourselves matters. Proverbs 23:17–18 teaches us to speak what is right: “My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart will be glad… when your lips speak what is right.” When we fall, we must speak God’s truth—not despair or condemnation—over our lives.

God Holds Our Hand

Where is God when we stumble? He is not standing off in judgment; He is holding our hand. Psalm 37:23–24 declares: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord… When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the one who holds his hand.” And Psalm 73:21–24 echoes: “Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.”

God never abandons His children in their struggle. He walks us through correction, restoration, and growth.

Assuring Our Hearts Before God

When we stumble, our emotions often accuse us. But 1 John 3:18–20 reminds us: “We shall assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.”

We must come to the light, be honest with God, repent, and cut off the source of temptation. We then believe that God is still with us, even when our feelings lag behind. Faith takes God at His word.

Restoring Others With Gentleness

Our attitude toward a struggling brother or sister matters. Galatians 6:1–3 instructs: “Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness…” We restore gently, bearing one another’s burdens, not looking down but looking inward.

Hebrews 3:13 also says, “Encourage one another day after day… lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” This is the atmosphere of the Christian community—encouragement, not condemnation.

Walking in the Light Together

The Christian life is not lived alone. 1 John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Walking in the light means honesty with God and with each other, creating a community where cleansing flows freely.

Pressing On Toward the Goal

Paul sums up the Christian attitude in Philippians 3:12–14: “Not that I have already obtained it or have become perfect; but I press on… forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

We are called to keep moving forward—neither pridefully assuming we’ve “arrived” nor despairing when we fall short.


The Five “C’s” of Regaining Ground

1. Confess

To confess is to say the same thing God says. 1 John 1:5–9 promises that when we walk in the light and confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us. Confession brings our hidden struggles into God’s light, where His cleansing immediately flows.

2. Cancel

Sin gives the enemy a foothold. Ephesians 4:26–2 warns us not to “give the devil a place.” After confession, take back any ground given to the enemy: “I am forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Devil, I cancel and take back the ground I gave you. This area of my life now comes under the authority of Jesus Christ.”

3. Command

Having canceled the enemy’s claim, you now resist him in Jesus’ name. James 4:7 says, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Command the enemy to leave and cut off his influence in your life.

4. Commit

Entrust your life to God’s keeping. Feed your faith with God’s Word and fellowship. Decide to trust Him fully and to be strengthened in Him daily. As you do, victory becomes your lifestyle.

5. Continue

If you fall, get up immediately. Proverbs 24:16 says, “A righteous man falls seven times and rises again.” Refuse to wallow in self-pity or condemnation. Jesus is with you—walk on with Him.

Conclusion: Keep Moving Forward

Gaining ground in Christ is a lifelong journey. Losing a battle does not forfeit the war. When we stumble, God’s hand is still holding ours, ready to lift us up and set us on our feet again. We learn to confess, cancel, command, commit, and continue.

Like Israel, we will take our inheritance step by step, city by city, promise by promise. We keep our eyes on Jesus, press on toward the prize, and walk together with our brothers and sisters in the light. God’s grace is greater than our failure, and His purpose for our lives is steadfast.