BACKSLIDE

BACKSLIDE

REASONS FOR BACKSLIDING

WHAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO FORGET GOD’S FAITHFULNESS SO QUICKLY?

(Deuteronomy 8:10-20)

But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and laws. (Deuteronomy 8:11)

PRIDE LEADS TO BACKSLIDING (Judges 2:6-19)

Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves to other gods, bowing down to them. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands. (Judges 2:17)

In times of plenty, we often take credit for our prosperity and become proud that our own hard work and cleverness have made us rich. It is easy to get so busy collecting and managing wealth that we push God right out of our life. But it is God who gives us everything we have, and it is God who asks us to manage it for him.

SELFISHNESS LEADS TO BACKSLIDING (Mark 4:1-20)

The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced. (Mark 4:18-19)

Why would the people of Israel turn so quickly from their faith in God? Simply put, the Canaanite religion appeared more attractive to the sensual nature and offered more short-term benefits (sexual permissiveness and increased fertility in childbearing and farming). One of its most attractive features was that people could remain selfish and yet fulfill their religious requirements. They could do almost anything they wished and still be obeying at least one of the many Canaanite gods. Male and female prostitution were not only allowed but encouraged as forms of worship.

Faith in the one true God, however, does not offer short-term benefits that appeal to our sinful human nature. The essence of sin is selfishness; the essence of God’s way of life is selflessness. We must seek Christ’s help to live God’s way.

DISTRACTIONS CAN CAUSE BACKSLIDING.

Worldly worries, the false sense of security brought on by prosperity, and the desire for things plagued first-century disciples as they do us today. How easy it is for our daily routines to become overcrowded. A life packed with materialistic pursuits deafens us to God’s Word. Stay free so you can hear God when he speaks.

PREVENTING BACKSLIDING

HOW CAN WE KEEP FROM FORGETTING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS? (Luke 9:57-62)

Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

COMMITMENT TO JESUS PREVENTS BACKSLIDING (James 5:15-20)

My dear brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back again, you can be sure that the one who brings that person back will save that sinner from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. (James 5:19-20)

What does Jesus want from us? Total dedication, not halfhearted commitment. We can’t pick and choose among Jesus’ ideas and follow him selectively; we have to accept the cross along with the crown, judgment as well as mercy. We must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given us security. With our focus on Jesus, we should allow nothing to distract us from the manner of living that he calls good and true.

COMMITMENT TO OTHER BELIEVERS PREVENTS BACKSLIDING.

Clearly this person who has wandered away is a believer who has fallen into sin-one who is no longer living a life consistent with his beliefs. Christians disagree over whether or not it is possible for people to lose their salvation, but all agree that those who move away from their faith are in serious trouble and need to repent. James urges Christians to help backsliders return to God. By taking the initiative, praying for them, and acting in love, we can meet them where they are and bring them back to God and his forgiveness. 

GOD’S WORD ON BACKSLIDING

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I’VE FALLEN AWAY FROM GOD?

Amos 5:4 . . . Now this is what the Lord says to the family of Israel: “Come back to me and live!”

Romans 3:23-24 . . . All have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.

Because of our sinful nature, there are times when we all fall away from God. Yet once we’ve identified and confessed our sin, God is faithful to forgive us. There is no sin so great we cannot come back to God.

HOW CAN I AVOID BACKSLIDING?

Ezekiel 37:23 . . . They will stop polluting themselves with their detestable idols and other sins, for I will save them from their sinful backsliding. I will cleanse them. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.

1 Peter 1:14 . . . Obey God because you are his children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn’t know any better then.

Matthew 26:41 . . . Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!

1 Corinthians 10:13 . . . Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

Obedience to God’s Word, prayer, and being alert to temptation help us stay away from backsliding.

WHAT IS THE EFFECT ON OTHERS WHEN I BACKSLIDE?

Matthew 18:7 . . . “How terrible it will be for anyone who causes others to sin. Temptation to do wrong is inevitable, but how terrible it will be for the person who does the tempting.”

When we sin it almost always affects someone other than ourselves. This is why we must call upon God to help us overcome the temptation to sin.

PROMISE FROM GOD:

Psalm 32:5 . . . Finally, I confessed all my sins to you. . . . and you forgave me!