The Peril of Backsliding

Backsliding is a spiritual condition wherein someone who once walked in faith, practiced righteousness, sought the Lord and has now returned to their previous ways. In short, they have rebelled and left the work of the Lord.

I hear many reasons for backsliding and I dare say they boil down to either laziness or selfishness. ÒThe backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his.Ó Pr 14:14 ÒAnd those on the rock soil are those who when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in the time of temptation fall away.Ó Lu 8:13

A backslider refuses to come to church, to pray, to study the bible, and is not giving unto God what is GodÕs. A backslider might simply have become neutral in their own mind. Not for church but not against church. Not for God but not against Him. Jesus says we are either for Him or against Him. If we are not for Him we are clearly against Him. There is no neutral ground. ÒAnd because lawlessness is increased, most peopleÕs love will grow cold.Ó Mt 24:12

There is a curse upon all who backslide from the work of the Lord. They bring upon themselves the curse of sinful habits, evil companions, dangerous amusements, the reproach of loyal Christians, the displeasure of God, the loss of rewards both here and hereafter, a seared conscience, and their own troubled hearts. They lose the security and respect of the world which they imitate and to which they cater. ÒBut Jesus said to him, ÒNo one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.Ó Lu 9:62

This is a strong statement, but test it. If you have backslidden, look at your present habits; are you smoking or doing drugs, drinking alcohol regularly and even to excess, are you cussing, are you partaking in pornography, are you speaking ill of those whom you perceive as the cause of your troubles? If you have backslidden, look at your present companions; do they carry on all these same worldly habits? Are they strong companions that encourage you and come alongside you during your troubles? What is their character like? If you have backslidden, look at your conscience; is it seared because you know you have fallen or backslidden? Is it seared because of your regular practice of sin which seems out of control? If you have backslidden, look at your heart; is it troubled? Do you have the peace of God or is your heart troubled? ÒBut now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to weak and worthless elemental things in which you desire to be enslaved all over again?Ó Ga 4:9 (suggest reading all of Galatians 4)

Again, look at your companions and romantic interests. Often, one needs to disassociate with them. Even the most godly men have fallen because of their associations with the ungodly. You will be best served to pick godly friends who are following Jesus. ÒFor it came about when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been.Ó 1 Ki 11:4

All of these discussions donÕt even touch on the question of whether a backslider is still saved. It would appear that the present curse on your life ought to be enough to motivate you back into relationship with God.

Know this: Even though you think you have gained your freedom and the respect of the world around you in which you participate, you havenÕt. The world you have returned to sees you as a backslider too. A failed Christian. They see that your previous faith was worthless because it could not save you. That faith could not hold you and you are now no different than they are. You are in the same slop pen they are in and they say, Òwhat good is it to be a Christian if this is all you get?Ó ÒBut My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in himÓ 2 Peter 2:20 ÒBut I have this against you, that you have left your first love.Ó Rev 2:4

Your present backslidden life is empty. ÒWhen the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any it says, ÔI will return to my house from which I came.Õ And when it comes it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.Ó Lu 11:24-26

What does the Lord say?

ÒFrom the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me and I will return to you says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ÒHow shall we return?Ó É. Selected reading: Mal 3:7-14

In fact, you may not be a backslider rather you may be a not-yet believer. You may not yet have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The following look at Psalm 23 will give you an insight into GodÕs Holy Love for YOU. There is but one path and it is through Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

Where is this path (back) found?

It is found in restoration of your relationship with the Lord. Read Psalm 23.