I Cor. 10:12, Jude 11:16
Generally speaking, backsliding means turning away from the Lord. It refers to growing cold, losing interest in the Lord, the Bible, church attendance, prayer, witnessing and turning to the world and the old way of life. (I King 11: 9, Rev. 2:4)
There are many things that ultimately result into backsliding, as you know, “curse causeless shall not come”
1. Love of the world. II Tim. 4:10, Ex. 32: 4- 6, I John 2: 15 – 17, I Sam 8:5.
Wanting to be like other “nations” in dressing, celebrations, conversations, and in marriage will take the Christian straight into the midst of the world. When Demas loved the world, he departed from God.
2. Love of Money. John 13:29, I Tim 6: 9-10. Some people are too desperate to get money. Reckless pursuit of money is sure to take any Christian away from grace. We all need money, but the love of God should be supreme in our heart.
3. Prayerlessness. Heb 4:14 –16, 2 Cor. 10:3-5. The devil seeks to bring the believer down he can however be solidly resisted through prayers.
4. Evil Association. I Kings 11: 4, John 18: 17, 25. I Cor. 15: 33, Prov. 13:20. Sin is contagious. If you associate with the wicked, you may soon learn their wicked acts. Evil companionship pollutes good men.
5. Fear of Man. Matt 26:70 – 74. Fear of persecution, attack, and parental rejection has made many to look back into the world.
6. Desire to be Independent. Luke 15: 12 -1 3. When a Christian begins to think that no one can really direct his life, when he begins to think he is mature enough to be independent without spiritual supervision, he is in for a fall.
7. Other causes
(a) Failure to read the Bible for spiritual instruction. John 5:39, 2 Tim 2:15.
(b) Lack of spiritual growth. Once there is no growth, there will be death. There must be concrete attempt at spiritual growth.
(c) Failure to maintain quiet time. Quite time is necessary to receive daily strength and guidance. Without it becomes easily to enter into the devil’s trap.
(d) Forsaking church attendance (Heb 10:25). There is a power obtainable from corporate worship, without it the Christian life become dull.
(e) Not having spiritual partners – when you walk alone you suffer alone. You need spiritual partners of the same sex to pray and share together. Ecc. 4:9-12
(f) Disobedience to the spirit of God.
Please take note that when causes are taken care of curse will not come.
Every genuine Christian hates backsliding. The mere mentioning of the word should fill a good believer with holy anger and grave watchfulness.
1. Result of Backsliding
(a) Captivity and demonic oppression. Judges 4:1-3, 6: 1-6
When there is backsliding, God stops defending the backsliding and he becomes an easy prey for the enemy. The man who has been binding the devil before automatically enters into bondage.
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(b) Loss of divine provision: Luke 15: 13 – 16. When the prodigal son moved far from the father, he entered into a season of “want”
Provision is only sure when God is your shepherd.
- Unanswered Prayers: I Sam. 28:6, Ps. 66:18, Prov 1:24, 28. When you begin to forsake the Lord, heaven is not obliged to hearken to your voice.
- Selfishness: Prov 14:14. A backslider will no longer be concerned with the things of God or fellow brethren. He regards his life first and all other things are secondary.
- Unfitness for the Kingdom of God. Luke 9:52, Rev. 3:16, Ex. 32: 33 Heb. 10:26-29. No backslider has right to eternal life; he has forfeited his heavenly inheritance and is lost forever. The door of mercy is closed and the kindness of the Almighty is kept at bay.
- Loss of Spiritual Power
- Loss of inner peace
- Loss of joy of salvation. Psalm 51:8, 12
II CURE FOR BACKSLIDING
The cross of Calvary is not only for salvation, it is also for restoration. The Like’s account of the prodigal son reveals the basic steps a backslider must take in order to get back home.
1. Realization (Luke 15: 17). The backsliding must recognize his spiritual state. Without realization there is no recovery.
2. Resolution: (Luke 15: 18). There is the need to make a concrete decision to go back.
3. Repentance: The backsliding must confess to God and be sorrowful for his sins (v. 18) Hosea 14: 1-2
4. Renunciation: With the words of mouth, sins must be disowned. Luke 15: 18 – 21
5. Reception: Christ must be received again like a small baby. John 1:12
The promise of God to backsliders remain: Jer. 3: 22, Hosea 14:4