Michlaude Discipleship Project

Part 9: When You Fail

How to Know Which Kind of Falling You're In

Ask yourself honestly:

  1. Am I convicted when I sin? Yes = evidence the Spirit is in you (John 16:8). No = red flag — examine whether you're actually saved.
  2. Does my sin grieve me? Yes = evidence of godly grief that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). No = red flag.
  3. Am I confessing my sin to God? Yes = evidence of humility and dependence (1 John 1:9). No = red flag.
  4. Am I fighting to stop sinning? Yes = evidence you're a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). No = red flag.
  5. Am I getting back up after falling? Yes = evidence of perseverance (Proverbs 24:16). No = staying down reveals a lack of spiritual life.
  6. Am I persevering over time? Yes (even imperfectly) = evidence you're genuinely saved (Matthew 24:13). No (walking away permanently) = evidence you were never saved (1 John 2:19).

What to Do Right Now

If you've fallen (temporary failure):

  1. Stop reading. Confess your sin to God right now (1 John 1:9).
  2. Repent. Turn from the sin. Don't just regret consequences — hate the sin itself.
  3. Receive forgiveness. God forgives completely. Don't wallow in guilt after confessing.
  4. Get back up. Resume walking with Jesus. Today. Now.
  5. Put a plan in place — accountability, boundaries, new habits — whatever you need to fight this sin.
  6. Don't give up. You'll probably fall again. That's okay. Get back up every time.

If you fear you've fallen away (permanent apostasy):

First: the fact that you're concerned is a good sign. People who have truly fallen away don't care. They're not reading Christian handbooks. They're not worried about their salvation. But don't presume. If you've been living in ongoing, unrepentant sin with no conviction for months or years:

  1. Examine yourself — are you truly saved? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
  2. Repent today. Don't wait. Turn from sin. Turn to Christ.
  3. Trust His promise. If you genuinely repent and trust Christ, He will save you (Romans 10:9–10).
  4. Get help. Talk to a pastor, elder, or mature believer. Don't fight this alone.