One of the greatest events that happens in the world goes unseen by the masses.  It takes place when a person is buried in baptism and becomes a Christian.  When that happens, heaven rejoices (Luke 15:7).

The person who obeys the gospel is immediately set free from Satan and sin and becomes a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).  The devil does not take this lightly, nor does he give up on that person.  Instead, he goes after this new convert with vengeance, doing all he can to recapture him or her.  In fact, when a person first hears the Word of God, the devil tries to take it from them.

Luke 8:11-12 (ESV)
¹¹  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹²  The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

The devil knows that salvation comes by faith (John 3:16), and faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), so he wants to separate people from God’s Word in any way that he can.  The point of this is that the devil is active in trying to get people to be lost, and new converts are no exception to this.

What are some of the dangers that babes in Christ face as they begin their new walk in Christ?  One is the pull of old habits.  As human beings, we are recidivistic by nature.  More times than not, one who obeys the gospel ends up relapsing into his old lifestyle, sometimes permanently.  The Bible warns us against this.

 1 Peter 1:14 (ESV)
¹⁴  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 

Ephesians 4:21-23 (ESV)
²¹  Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, ²²  to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³  and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

It is to the former manner of life that new Christians are so often tempted to go back that poses a real threat to them.  The only way to combat this ploy of the devil is to continue to do the things that will help one grow in Christ—things such as studying, praying, and consistently attending worship services.  If you are a new Christian, and you want to avoid being recaptured by the devil, read 2 Peter 1 and memorize the things that Peter said we must add to our faith, and work at adding them.

2 Peter 1:10 (ESV)
¹⁰  Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall.

Another thing that might cause a new convert to slip back into the world is a continued association with old friends.  Paul said, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).  If you are a babe in Christ, be very careful about the friends you choose to have.  There is a reason God wanted the Israelites to drive out the former people of the land.  He knew they would eventually be corrupted by their bad influence, and the same thing will happen to most new Christians as well.

A final danger that new Christians face is being isolated.  This is as much the fault of the local church as it is the new convert, maybe even more so.  We must realize that if babes in Christ do not feel like they are a part of the congregation, it will be easier for them to fall when the devil attacks.  If we help them to develop an attachment to the church by developing strong relationships with them, it will help them to endure difficult times.  Let’s all do what we can to help keep new Christians from falling.  

As you wind down for the night, think about these things