Revelation 18:2
"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."
It seems like a regular part of my week is trying to help the fallen get back up. Don't get me wrong, I want to do my best to help restore the fallen, but it gets wearisome hearing of those who have fallen. It seems as if someone falling is becoming more of the norm that it is an anomaly. Though throughout history it is common see people have fallen, it simply becomes tiresome and heartbreaking when those you love fall.
In the verse above, a voice cried out that Babylon fell. Babylon was the tool God used to judge sinful nations. What was once a nation that was used of God is now become a fallen nation. When God describes what will happen to Babylon when she falls, you see the symptoms of the fallen.
First, the fallen become a regular place of the works of the Devil. What are the works of the Devil? You will find that the works of the Devil are the same as the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:19 shows us these works. Sadly, a person who has fallen is one who will regularly perform the works of the flesh. What once was a tool used of God to help the fallen has succumb to their own flesh to become whom they once used to help.
Second, the fallen will have a bad spirit. Notice is says, "...and the hold of every foul spirit,..." When a person falls, it is amazing how their spirit changes from a sweet spirit to a bad spirit. Where they once used to be joyful, now they are one who regularly complains. Where they once used to see the works of God and praise them, now they've become one who criticizes everything that happens.
Third, the fallen will have a hateful spirit. Notice it says, "...and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Imagine, here was a person who used to be loving, but now they have become a person who is hateful towards others. No, I don't think it is intentional, but it is the natural result of sin.
These are just three symptoms of the fallen. But, what is it that leads to a person falling? Verse 3 shows us what leads a person to fall. First, pride sets into their heart. Notice is says in verse 7, "How much she hath glorified herself,..." Babylon became so confident in themselves that they wanted others to see what they did. This is nothing more than pride. You will find that a person who is about to fall will start pointing towards themselves and not towards God.
Second, they become a person who lives for possessions. Babylon became more interested in her "delicacies" than she did in serving God. She became a nation who focused on acquiring more. When you become possessed with possessions, then you are headed down the road of the fallen. When having money, fame, position and the best of material things becomes your central focus, then it won't be long before you are working the works of the flesh.
Christian, do you see any of these symptoms in your life? Do you see yourself justifying cutting back on what you do for God for the sake of worldly position and possessions? If you find these symptoms moving slowly into your life, then you are on the road towards falling. It happens so easily, and the best of people have succumb to these symptoms. Be careful that you don't think you're above these. Daily ask the Holy Spirit to convict and reveal these symptoms to you so you can change your actions. Be tender towards the Holy Spirit when He speaks to you, and change what you're doing so you don't become another fallen Christian.