"Backslidden"

Forsaking the Lord, going our own way, leaving our first love, forgetting God, falling away, turning aside, these are signs of backsliding. King David watched Bathsheba undress, and soon it was but a little step for him to give way to the imagination of his heart.


"Have you not brought this on yourselves by forsaking the Lord? Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you..." Jeremiah 2:17, 19).

Like a garden that must be carefully tilled and weeded (Hos 10:12; Mat 13), our spiritual lives require diligent attention (2 Tim 2:15, 21; 2 Pe 1:5-7). Neglect and laziness, as well as trampling the vines, can wreak havoc.

There are mamy reasons one backslide, sometimes obvious, some we hide. The lack of spiritual input such as reading the bible or getting into prayer. Jesus condemned the Pharisees not for what they did, but for what they failed to do. He also told his disciples that they would be judged not just according to their relationship with him, but also by their neglect of "the least of these" (Mat 25:35-45).

Paul writes. Reading romance novels, for example, might not in itself cause one to go out and sin. (It could). However, neglecting the Word of God certainly will. The "lust of the flesh," the "deceitfulness of riches," "the love of the world" – all these can entrap us and cause our downfall. However, the pride of life, and hatred toward a brother, eat away from within and are just as destructive.

"Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord..." Jeremiah 2:17, 19

Backsliding often carries its own punishment (Prov 14:14; Jer 2:17, 19; Rom 13:4). And its effects often extend far beyond the experience of the offender alone. Causing a brother to stumble is a serious offense. We will be held accountable not only for our own relationship with God, but for our conduct before men as well. Our life is "an open book," Paul writes, "known and read of all men." People who do not hear what we say cannot help but observe the way we live. "Your actions speak so loudly," the saying goes, "that I can't hear a word you're saying." Therefore, we are to "love not in word, but in deed. No one who has experienced the Presence of God will ever find lasting satisfaction outside of His will. Deciding to return, however, has often proven most difficult. God often must use extreme measures to bring us back. He strives with the backslidden (2 Ki 17:15), and lovingly will use anything * sickness, misery, grief to get us to return. (Psa 107)"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely..." Hosea 14:4-7

"Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings..." Jeremiah 3:22

God promises to receive those who return with repentant hearts (Deut 4:29; 1 Chron 28:9; 2 Chron 7:14; 15:2; Jer 31:20; 36:3). His patience toward those who "keep on backsliding," however, is limited (Jer 15:6; Prov 24:16;). Deciding to return, however, has often proven most difficult. Recovering from a spiritually backslidden condition is hard. "The truth shall set you free," Jesus said. In attempting to bring back a fallen brother, however, we must make sure we ourselves are strong enough in the faith to stand secure: "...lest you also be tempted" (Gal 6:1). Those who have forsaken the Lord tend to bring others down (Prov 28:10; Mat 18:6; 1 Corin 15:33). Therefore, we ask to avoid those who have completely hardened their hearts through sin (Prov 28:14; Isaiah 26:3, 4; although our attitude toward them should remain one of mercy: "Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thes 3:6, 15).

"Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings..." Jeremiah 3:22

Father, Please have mercy on my soul, I ask for forgiveness, guidance, and wisdom to do your work. I love you Father in Jesus Holy Name, Amen!