Overcoming Backsliding

[Chad]

Overcoming Backsliding

What Do We Mean By "Backsliding"?

"The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel" - 1 Kings 11:9

"I have this against you; you have left your first love." - Revelation 2:4

Backsliding is when a person who follows Christ turns away from Him. To the backslider, God is no longer the main focus of his life. Without God's leading, the person suffers a lapse morally and reverts back to sin. He "backslides" into his old way of life.

What Causes Us To Backslide?
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18

"If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall." - 1 Corinthians 10:12

Pride can be found at the root of backsliding. Pride tells us we don't need God to lead us. There are two forms pride takes when it comes to backsliding: Trying to justify oneself to God and taking part in sin.

Trying To Justify Oneself To God Leads To Backsliding
"You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace." - Galatians 5:4

"Justified" means to be made acceptable to God. In the verse above, Paul tells us that trying to justify oneself through the law (or through good deeds) can lead to backsliding. How can doing a good deed cause backsliding? Well, let's say someone helps an elderly woman across the street. The Christian who is walking with God will say, "Jesus has been kind to me so I want to be kind to others." Whereas the Christian who is backsliding will say, "I am acceptable to God because I helped this woman across the street." Pride makes the backslider think that he can impress God when in reality he is moving away from Him because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

Taking Part In Sin Leads To Backsliding

"You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." - Galatians 5:13
Here again is pride. In this case pride makes the backslider say, "I can lead my own life. I don't need God to tell me what to do." Less and less time is spent looking for God's direction. The backslider will stop praying and reading the Bible. Without God's direction the backslider will -- without even realizing it -- lead himself. This results in a sinful life away from God because, as Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

What Happens When We Backslide?

"Justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind, we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead." - Isaiah 59:9-10

We no longer seek the Lords leading and we lack direction. We no longer fellowship with Him and so our hearts are empty. This is because you and I were created to follow the Lord. We were created to have a relationship with God. And as terrible as it is to have never have known the love of Jesus Christ, how much worse is it to have experienced it and then turn away? Once you've followed Jesus nothing else can ever truly satisfy you. That's why backsliding is such a terrible thing. You try to replace His prefect love with something inferior. But the Lord stretches out His hand to you and offers to forgive your backsliding and restore you.

How Do We Overcome Backsliding?
Let God's Word explain how to overcome backsliding.

"I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful, declares the Lord, I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt - you have rebelled against the Lord your God" - Jeremiah 3:12

So we pray...

"Our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities." - Isaiah 59:12

And we are forgiven...

"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin" - 2 Chronicles 7:14

And restored...

"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them." -- Hosea 14:4

"Peace, peace, to those far and near, says the Lord." -- Isaiah 57:19

Article: biblestudyplanet.com

 

[grace07]

Even though we as christian should be careful and continue to walk with God. Focus the author & finisher of faith. Matured in HIM not be weary in doing good. Standing firm with God fearing, prayers, fellowhsip, bible study & witnessing.

I remember that one of our member of the church was backsliding..found guilty in God. So ashamed & asking forgiveness facing to us. She got an unbeliever guy & pregnant. She kept her sins. It hurts us . She was once a good choir. Knowing God but not doing good in the sight of God, becaause of temptaion. We forgave her too.. and no longer in the church fellowship.

Especially as today's younger generation is different than before. Because of high technology influences.
Chad, that post is very important to all of us here ..your site is a blessings to this members and we can give GLORY TO GOD..

 

[rizen1]

Chad that was a really good article.

I've read stuff on backsliding before but this is the best.
I'm adding this to my favourites.

 

[paulptl]

Great article on backsliding. I'm not shure that anything makes God more sad, than a Christian the has tasted the glory, and decided to throw it all away.

 

[Singlemom]

Great Insight

I would also like to make a distiction between backsliding and maybe not even being saved.

The Bible calls for us to examine ourselves.

The great hymn come to mind, "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love, Here's my heart, oh take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above."

A true believer will always sense the sadness that was brought to our Master when we sin against Him. Backsliding is sin.

Would I call it crucifying the Savior all over again........eeekkkk! we are treading on dangerous ground.

How can someone who has tasted the heavenly gift, return to that which once bound him?

I am so glad we have a merciful God, yet.......I seek to continue to have nothing held against me at the Judgement seat of Christ...............

Here is my two cents............let me hear yours. May God be praised.

 

[JohnWhaley]

So that what the word backsliding means.

I hope i never walk down that road.

 

[rizen1]

How can someone who has tasted the heavenly gift, return to that which once bound him?

That is true and also puts alot of pressure on Christians, that they must be perfect, there is no room for mistakes. If they do make a mistake they were never saved.

But the reality is no one is righteous, and Christians do fall. But we can rejoice because his grace is efficient and his mercy is ever lasting.

I've never met a perfect Christian and the reason is no one is righteous.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:.......Romans 3:10

A non believer is a non believer, they can never be considered a back slider.
They never had God or knew him to turn their back on him...

Now a Christian, who have tasted and can tesify that the Lord is good, when they sin thats going against God. If he is our true love we must walk according to his will. But when we allow our pride to silence his voice so we can do our own thing, thats a problem.

Romans 3:22-23
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all[a] who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

The term " back slider " can not and should not be used for non believers.
We are told to equip ourselves, because we as Christian will face trails of many kind.

like Paul said.
I do not understand what I do,for what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Romans 7:15

 

[Singlemom]

That is true and also puts alot of pressure on Christians, that they must be perfect, there is no room for mistakes. If they do make a mistake they were never saved.

But the reality is no one is righteous, and Christians do fall. But we can rejoice because his grace is efficient and his mercy is ever lasting.

I've never met a perfect Christian and the reason is no one is righteous.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:.......Romans 3:10

A non believer is a non believer, they can never be considered a back slider.
They never had God or knew him to turn their back on him...

Now a Christian, who have tasted and can tesify that the Lord is good, when they sin thats going against God. If he is our true love we must walk according to his will. But when we allow our pride to silence his voice so we can do our own thing, thats a problem.

Romans 3:22-23
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all[a] who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

The term " back slider " can not and should not be used for non believers.
We are told to equip ourselves, because we as Christian will face trails of many kind.

like Paul said.
I do not understand what I do,for what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Romans 7:15

Exactly! Very eloquently said. My thought pattern took me down a different path. If there should be a believer and they should return to that which once bound him.......let's say "backsliding"

It is my belief that this person is crucifying the Lord Jesus all over again. They have tasted the heavenly gift and have returned to that which once bound them, i.e; living in sin (whatever that sin might entail.

As a believer, I cannot understand why someone who is Born Again, would even consider leaving their Savior. They have chosen to cease calling Him their Lord.

A non-believer has not tasted of the heavenly gift, and so therefore, does not understand that those sins which ensnare him/her are separating him/her from God. You are accurate in saying that they cannot "backslide" that is correct. They have not had that assurance that they have placed faith in Christ alone for their salvation.

On the other hand, those who have professed Christ; His death, burial, and resurrection, and have tasted the heavenly gift..............

It is beyond me, why they would "backslide." As a believer, I have the Precious Spirit living in me. He convicts, guides, leads, and continues to assure me of forgiveness of sins.

When I fall, not "If," but when, I know that I have an advocate. Jesus Christ the righteous one! After all, He died for my sins; past, present, and future, Amen! I will therefore, come and confess and be made whole, clean, forgiven, and I know that I am in right standing with God, because of what Jesus did for me......and no other reason than that His love compels me. It would grieve me, and the Holy Spirit would be grieved, should there be any unconfessed sin in my life......I will long to be forgiven and to be pleasing to my Lord.

:

Thank you for your input!

 

[rizen1]

singlemom
When I fall, not "If," but when, I know that I have an advocate. Jesus Christ the righteous one! After all, He died for my sins; past, present, and future, Amen! I will therefore, come and confess and be made whole, clean, forgiven, and I know that I am in right standing with God, because of what Jesus did for me......and no other reason than that His love compels me. It would grieve me, and the Holy Spirit would be grieved, should there be any unconfessed sin in my life......I will long to be forgiven and to be pleasing to my Lord.

Amen

:happy:

 

[Singlemom]

added point

I am making this addendum to my previous point....lest I be misunderstood.

I stand by what I said, "why would anyone want to go back?"

I clearly understand that believers are not "perfect, only forgiven"

There is no one who is perfect, save the righteous one Jesus!

I also think that there needs to be a distinction between backsliding and not responding to the conviction that the Spirit brings and sinning and being repentant and remorseful.

Backsliding means "going back to that which once bound you"

I sin, maybe even on a daily basis, yet I confess my sins and pray that God will cleanse me even from those sins I may not even be aware of.
Yet, I do return......I do not continue in sin......I am convicted...oh, but I do return.

Are there believers who have not returned? Only the Lord can read hearts. If there is a person who claimed salvation by grace alone and goes back to living like an unbeliever, I think the Lord calls us to judge by their fruits, No? Was there really a conversion? This is entirely another subject.

Yet, the person's decision to walk with the Lord, or not, is entirely between them and God.

So, My argument, for me, for all believers, is "how can we return, once we have tasted the Heavenly gift, why would we return and give up the sweet relationship we have with our Savior? What could drive us to give up pleasing the Lord, and in this case, losing the peace that only He can give, and in the hereafter, go to the judgment seat to be judged for throwing that precious gift away?

I am not being judgmental. I am saying that it is beyond my understanding why someone would throw this great, awesome, and marvelous privilege.

God bless!

 

[Singlemom]

Just one more thing................

"That is true and also puts alot of pressure on Christians, that they must be perfect, there is no room for mistakes. If they do make a mistake they were never saved."

This was your quote......and again, I think it point to a different topic entirely......

The Bible says that, "The law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

We are participants of this new covenant. I once heard that the Law said, "Do this and you will live," BUT, grace says, "Live and you will do"

Which basically says, because you are alive "in Christ" you now obey because you have been given life.

The Jewish nation, did things because they were afraid. They obeyed out of duty....not out of love

Believers now are not so much afraid that they will be condemned for their sins, for we have an advocate. The Bible states in Romans, that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...."
The believer will respond to this amazing Love, Calvary's gift, by seeking to please their Savior, and hopefully, their Lord too.

For some have a Savior, but have not made Him their Lord....I say this lightly for, I know that this can become a legalistic theme. I am responsible to Jesus Christ alone, and so is the next guy (believer).

All I know now is that we all are in a race.......that we must finish......Like the Apostle Paul.
Amen?

 

[faithworks]

"Be Holy for I Am Holy." You know there is a scripture that says "If we sin we have a advocate Jesus Christ. The key word here is if Also Matthew 5:48 is a good verse. Also in the word of God it states it is better to have never know the truth and to know the truth and turn your back on it. Just my two cents.....

Blessings,
debbi

 

[Singlemom]

Question????

Hello Chad,

I wonder if you or someone else......perhaps a moderator, could link this subject....or can it be linked? to the message of our Lord to the seven churches in the book of revelation.

I think it is important considering our topic here is backsliding. It could prove to be a wake up call for many. Personally, I would like to know more. It might just spur me onto good works, that God has prepared beforehand that I should walk in them.

Just another thought.

Christian greetings!

 

[rizen1]

"That is true and also puts alot of pressure on Christians, that they must be perfect, there is no room for mistakes. If they do make a mistake they were never saved."

This was your quote......and again, I think it point to a different topic entirely......

No it was a response to your quote,

singlemom
How can someone who has tasted the heavenly gift, return to that which once bound him?

If you go back to the original post and read the entire thing you would Understand those 2 lines. Because if you only quote my opening statement, to others who did not read the previous post, would get the impression that I'm saying Christians are free to live anyway they like.
The original thread is directed to Christians, because its only Christians can back slide. When I say Christian I mean, born again follower of Christ, not someone who wears a label.

Me
That is true and also puts alot of pressure on Christians, that they must be perfect, there is no room for mistakes. If they do make a mistake they were never saved."

In a simplified version, I'm saying the Christian community find it hard to admit that a born again Christian can fall or backslide.
When we carry that type of mentality, its hard for brothers and sisters (whose shoes we do not wear ) return to the church without judgement and condemnation from the church. There is a Picture perfect attitude that we have and society use against us.....when we are all humans that fight with flesh.

King David didnt live right...are we to judge him ?
and say " well he never knew God" or he didnt have a true relationship with him that's why he did all those bad things "


Yet God saw this sinner as " a man after his own heart "

Its easy for us to say, how can someone do that, just turn their backs on God and Live in sin.

In reality we can only speak for ourselves, be an encouragement to others and pray for them .

How can someone who has tasted the heavenly gift, return to that which once bound him?

The correct wording should be..How can "I" who have tasted the heavenly gift, return to that which had "Me" bound.
God sees the heart, he knows the mind of everyone, we can not say how can "someone", when we dont know them, their background, their relationship with God or their testimony.

There is no discussion about Christians having the license to sin, but those who have slipped into old habits.

The thread is entitled "overcoming backsliding''
Another thread can be started to discuss " The distinction between backsliding and those who were not saved ( did not have a true conversion )

 

[rizen1]

In response to the original post.

Chad
How Do We Overcome Backsliding?
Let God's Word explain how to overcome backsliding.

"I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful, declares the Lord, I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt - you have rebelled against the Lord your God" - Jeremiah 3:12

So we pray...

"Our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities." - Isaiah 59:12

And we are forgiven...

"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin" - 2 Chronicles 7:14

And restored...

"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them." -- Hosea 14:4

"Peace, peace, to those far and near, says the Lord." -- Isaiah 57:19

I will like to add this.


Psalm 51: 1-17
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when
Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,[a]
And blameless when You judge.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

 

[Singlemom]

Okay.......I did add that it was your quote right below I quoted you......It was picked up the wrong way.

I am not being judgemental, again, I am saying that if someone has inherited a billion dollars, why would they ever choose to live in a cardboard box......this is over simplification, for our gift that the heavenly Father has given us in invaluable.....we cannot put a price tag on it.....It costed God, His Son.

Here's the deal. I know that the Bible says that we should snatch some out of the fire....I will look up the Bible verse, But I think you will be familiar with it already.

I have a sister who professed Christ before I did. Now she no longer follows Him, she is involved in all sorts of filth. Do I condemn her? Who am I? I pray for her return, I pray that God will bring her back. I love her still. But I cannot understand why she threw the gift away. It does not make sense to me.

I made a decision to follow Christ and I woud be behooved to think that I could live life apart from Christ ever again. I need Him desperately. This world needs Him desperately.

I am not wagging my fingers at anyone, I am simply saying, "remember" and "repent" because this gift is too precious to throw away!

My heart cries out for my sister. I cannot see that I would ever stop following my God and my Lord. I pray daily that God would make me a woman after God's own heart. I think He has honored it. I think the message here is "do not take the Lord's love and mercy lightly for you....He is waiting for you to return." Yes, God is honored when a prodigal returns.......I am praying for my sister's return.....yet do not understand what could have made her throw away this billion dollar ticket......If you can understand that...........I in no ways support a legalistic, judgemental brother or sister who judges others and condemns, when Christ does not condemn us......

But he goes off looking for that one lost sheep..........
I think you and I agree.........perhaps I am not eloquently stating my ideas? It could be attributed to my snailish computer and the fact that if I open more than one window, it freezes?

Our God is a merciful God, we are under grace, not under law.

Yes....I know what the thread is labeled.....I asked if you all could make a distinction between a Christian who is lukewarm and a person who is in love with their "first Love" what does that picture look like?

I am a sinner saved by grace....I am still a wretched sinner....I would love to always believe that I will not leave my first love.....I would love to be encouraged to keep The Lord First in my life.........
Please email me if you have advice for me.......I agree with you whole heartedly........you are speaking grace and that is what God has given to "me" all of us......who are we to deny it...........I will allow you to have the final point...........to "keep the unity of the Spirit, through the bond of peace"

Love in Christ,
Singlemome

 

[rizen1]

I am not being judgemental, again, I am saying that if someone has inherited a billion dollars, why would they ever choose to live in a cardboard box......this is over simplification, for our gift that the heavenly Father has given us in invaluable.....we cannot put a price tag on it.....It costed God, His Son.

Us humans would never know why someone will choose to live in a cardboard box. We dont walk in their shoes, we dont know their hearts or the battle in their minds.

We can ponder all we want, but we will never get the answer until that person is willing to share why they left and how they returned.

We are all emtional beings, Christians get dissapointed/angry with God, and in their anger they turn away.

And like the orginal post said Pride is also a reason people backslide.


My prayers go out to those who are currently backsliding that the joy of his salvation will be restored in their hearts.

I understand singlemom now we can proceed, no need to reply or continue our discussion.

Lets get back to the topic.

 

[rizen1]

I want to leave these verse as we examine ourselves.

Luke 11:34 "The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

Luke 11:36 "If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays."

 

[faithworks]

Yes, I do not like the saying I am a sinner saved by grace. I always say, I was a sinner saved by grace. You see when I repented and the Holy Spirit came inside of me and Jesus washed me with His blood. I was made clean. Always rememeber the verse that says "IF I sin I have advocate Jesus Christ, IF is the key word. Do I have to sin no, do I not sin somedays I can go without sinning, but will I say I will never sin again can not say that. I will live in today and Jesus will help me not to sin I pray. I did not hear anything on here about judging, it says to take the speck out of your eye first then you are able to see and judge. We are not to judge those outside of the body of Christ. But, we can judge those I sit with everyday. there is a Biblical way to deal with that also.
Just my two cents.

Blessings,

debbi

 

[rizen1]

Thanks for your 2 cents Debbie.

God bless everyone that responded...

As we proceed with the topic of " Overcoming backsliding "

I want to add these verses .

1 John 1:4-9

4 And these things we write to you that your[a] joy may be full.

Fellowship with Him and One Another

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.