BACKSLIDING

Backsliding is a relapse or decline into bad habits and sinful behavior. It is wandering away from the truth and being stuck in sin. It is to fall away from God temporarily or permanently and returning to the world. It is growing cold and leaving the first love and losing interest in the things of God. A believer that is backsliding often loses enthusiasm to study the word of God, to attend prayer meetings, and also in church attendance, in worshipping and praising the Lord, in fellowshipping with others; he or she experiences a declining prayer life and interest in witnessing.

It is a form of retrogression, going back to the old sinful ways after one has confessed Jesus Christ. When one is no more as hot as when one first believed.

It is instructive to know that backsliding is ever threatening every believer! Note that "wherefore let him that thinketh that he stands take heed lest he falls " 1Cor 10 :12.  Brethren, you are admonished " to be vigilant, alert and cautious for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion seeking someone to seize upon and devour " 1Peter 5:8. Recall Simon Peter's experience of backsliding!

EVIDENCE OR SIGNS OF BACKSLIDING:

• When one grows cold towards the things of God and commitment is regresses
• When one's attendance in the church drops
• When one is no more in faith and one starts to doubt and reject the word of God.
• When one begins to take one's relationship with God with levity.
• When one puts on an old self which was renounced before.
• When one starts to lack spiritual fruit.
• When one no longer has a burden for the lost souls.
• When one becomes more comfortable with sin.
• When one no longer worships in spirit and truth.
• When one is going backward spiritually and morally.
• When one feels comfortable walking with the ungodly, standing with sinners and sitting in the seat of the scornful.
• When one walks away or abandons one's ministry.
• When one is no more fervent in prayer. 

CAUSES OF BACKSLIDING:

• Love of the world.
• Self-righteousness
• Pride.
• Evil association.
• Disappointment and failure.
• Disobedience.

EFFECTS OF BACKSLIDING:

• Separation from God and inability to approach God (Gen 3:8)
• Spiritual poverty (Amos 8:11)
• One's heart will be filled with one own's ways (Prov 14:14)
• Loss of salvation (Isa 1:28).

However, there is always a way out for a backslider. Our God is merciful and compassionate.

He wants backsliders to return to him and come back to their first love. The Lord said to the children of Israel Jer 3:22, "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings."

The Lord likened them to a wife who treacherously departeth from her husband. He is ready to have those who wander away from him. Hosea14:4, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him."

WAY OUT:

Make a confession (Lk 15:21)

Come back to God through repentance (Ps 51:11).

Renounce your sin and return to God (1 John 1:9)

Pray to God always and ask for forgiveness (1 Thess 5:17).

Draw near to God and have moment to moment relationship with God (James 4:8).

Worship constantly in spirit and in truth (Jhn 4:24).

Glorify God with your entire being (Cor 6:20).

Study the word (2 Tim 2:15).

Abstain from every form of evil (2 Tim 2:22).

Ask for the leading of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:25).

Brethren, whatever sin that lures you or moves you away from God must be dealt with and brought before God in repentance.

Learn from the past mistakes you made that led to backsliding and determine to not repeat those mistakes. The merciful and compassionate God will gladly have you back as the proverbial prodigal son.

ROLE OF OTHER BELIEVERS:

The Bible says in Gal 6:1, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

Others should assist a backslider at all cost to the path of righteousness. Pray for him daily and approach him with love and humility. Encourage him with the word and do not castigate or judge him.

PRAYER:

Dear Father in heaven, I know that the life of a backslider is a life of sorrow having moved away from you. Let me be far away from whatever will make me backslide. Help me and grant me the grace to remain and abide in you till the end. I will never be a victim of backsliding in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.