Backsliding is a term used to describe when a Christian strays from their faith and reverts to habitual sin. It refers to someone who once was following Christ, but has since drifted away and is no longer living according to Biblical principles. The concept of backsliding is mentioned several times in the Bible, warning believers against falling away from the faith. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about backsliding:
The Definition of Backsliding
The word “backslide” literally means to lapse morally or deviate from an earlier virtuous state. In a spiritual sense, it refers to abandoning one’s faith, regressing to a previous sinful lifestyle, or drifting away from Christian commitment and obedience to God’s Word. A backslider is someone who once walked closely with the Lord, but has since drifted into patterns of unrepentant sin and unbelief.
Some key aspects of backsliding include:
– A gradual falling away – Backsliding usually happens slowly over time as a believer becomes less vigilant. It often begins with allowing “small” sins or spiritual neglect. (Hebrews 2:1)
– Regressing to former behavior – A backslider begins reverting to old sinful habits and ways of thinking that were renounced when becoming a Christian. (2 Peter 2:20-22)
– Loss of spiritual vitality – As communion with God declines, the fruitlessness and joylessness of a backslidden life becomes evident. (Psalm 51:10-12)
– Hardened heart – Repeated sin leads to a desensitized conscience and a progressive spiritual callousness. (Hebrews 3:12-13)
– Disobedience to God’s Word – With lessening regard for divine authority, a backslider increasingly ignores the Bible’s directives. (Matthew 24:12)
– Love of the world – Preoccupation with temporal things characterizes the backslider’s declining interest in the kingdom of God. (2 Timothy 4:10)
So in summary, backsliding happens when a professing Christian abandons their active pursuit of God and reverts to the ungodly passions and priorities that Christ redeemed them from.
Examples of Backsliding in the Bible
There are several examples of backsliding recorded in Scripture that illustrate how departing from the Lord progresses and what the consequences can be. These include:
King Saul – After a promising start as Israel’s first king, Saul’s jealousy, disobedience and waning faith led to God rejecting him from being king. (1 Samuel 15, 28:15-19)
Solomon – In his later years, Solomon’s wives turned his heart away from exclusively worshiping God. He built idols and shrines for false gods. (1 Kings 11:1-13)
The nation of Israel – God’s chosen people repeatedly wavered between obedience and idolatry. Their backsliding led to divine discipline and exile. (Jeremiah 2, Hosea 11:7)
Peter – On the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied knowing Christ three times after previously pledging devotion. He soon repented and was restored. (Luke 22:54-62)
The prodigal son – This famous parable portrays how drifting from the father to live sinfully led to misery and despair. But the backslider’s return was celebrated! (Luke 15:11-24)
The church at Ephesus – After an exemplary start, they abandoned their first love and zeal for Christ, imperiling their spiritual standing. (Revelation 2:4-5)
The Bible reminds us through these examples that unaddressed backsliding has disastrous consequences, but also that repentance can lead to joyous restoration!
Reasons and Causes of Backsliding
Why does someone who once ardently followed Jesus end up drifting from faithfulness? Here are some potential reasons and causes:
– Neglecting prayer and Bible reading – These spiritual disciplines nourish faith. Without them, we spiritually starve. (Matthew 26:41)
– Unconfessed sin or unresolved guilt – Undealt with sin hampers our relationship with God. (Matthew 5:23-24)
– Pride – Self-reliance instead of relying on Christ is a common trap. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
– Misplaced priorities – Letting worldly pursuits or distractions crowd out spiritual ones. (Luke 8:14)
– Offenses – Holding grudges or being embittered toward God, others or the church. (Hebrews 12:15)
– Unwise associations – Fellowshipping with those who scorn faith exposes us to sinful attitudes. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
– Temptation – We must be on guard against what could lure us into sin. No one is beyond its reach. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
– Complacency – Spiritual apathy makes us vulnerable to drifting from zeal. We must stay awake! (Revelation 3:2-3)
– Persecution or trials – Enduring hardship can either strengthen faith or threaten it if not relying on God. (Matthew 13:21)
So in summary, common causes for backsliding include letting spiritual disciplines wane, harboring unconfessed sin, absorbing worldly values, having misplaced priorities, giving in to temptations and not seeking God for help in trials.
Signs and Indicators of Backsliding
In what ways can you identify if someone is backsliding? Here are some telltale signals:
– Declining interest in spiritual things – Less enthusiasm for church, Bible reading, prayer; more apathy. (Revelation 2:4)
– Lack of spiritual fruit – The fruits of the spirit like peace, patience, kindness, self-control, etc. are diminishing. (Galatians 5:22-23)
– Questionable behavior – Appetites for sin are increasing with poor choices being made. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
– Withdrawing from community – Avoiding fellowship and accountability with other believers. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
– Defensiveness about faith – Quickness to anger when questioned or hesitancy to talk about spiritual matters. (1 Peter 3:15-16)
– Recurring sins – Repeated falling back into the same sinful habits. (2 Peter 2:20)
– Stagnant faith – No interest in growing spiritually; content to remain at the same level. (2 Peter 1:5-8)
– Cynicism and criticism – Negative mindset toward the church and its leaders. (Hebrews 13:17)
The more of these warning signs that become evident, the more advanced the backsliding. If not addressed through repentance and revival, it leads to being estranged from God.
The Consequences of Backsliding
The Bible makes clear that backsliding, if not dealt with, can have dire consequences in a believer’s life including:
– A seared conscience – Repeated unconfessed sin deadens the conscience, making sin seem permissible. (1 Timothy 4:2)
– Discipline from God – Persisting in disobedience necessitates God’s loving discipline. (Hebrews 12:5-7)
– The pain of broken fellowship – Intimacy with God is disrupted when walking in darkness. (Isaiah 59:1-2)
– Loss of spiritual power – Being filled with the Spirit is forfeited along with the capacity for holy living. (Galatians 5:16-17)
– Worthless witness – The backslider’s testimony carries little weight while living hypocritically. (Matthew 5:13)
– Temporal consequences – Though forgiven upon repentance, earthly consequences may remain from sin. (Galatians 6:7-8)
– Shame at Christ’s return – There is fear of Christ’s disapproval when He returns for a backslidden Christian. (1 John 2:28)
So in summary, instead of God’s blessings, the backslider will experience the misery of a calloused heart, divine discipline, broken fellowship with God, spiritual fruitlessness, an ineffective witness, and shame at the judgment seat of Christ.
How to Recover From Backsliding
If you recognize symptoms of backsliding in yourself, know that restoration is possible! Consider these steps to recover:
– Examine how it began – Reflect on how the drift from God started and sin’s hold took root again. (Lamentations 3:40)
– Confess and repent – Be honest with God about the specific sins involved. Turn away from them. (1 John 1:8-9)
– Take personal responsibility – Rather than play the blame game, own your contribution to backsliding. (Lamentations 3:39)
– Study Scripture – God’s Word is our lifeline back to godliness. Consume it. (Psalm 119:9, 11)
– Pray – Passionately seek the Lord in humble prayer. Plead for revival and cleansing. (Psalm 51:10-13)
– Fellowship – Surround yourself with believers who will encourage spiritual progress. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
– Obey – Start obeying God in every detail. Obedience leads to blessing. (John 14:21)
– Persevere – Reversing backsliding isn’t instant. Depend on God’s grace to keep fighting. (Galatians 6:9)
With the Spirit’s empowerment, even seasons of severe backsliding can be overcome. God promises that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us! (James 4:8)
How to Avoid Backsliding
While backsliding can be reversed, prevention is ideal. Here are some tips for avoiding falling away spiritually:
– Daily nourish your soul – Don’t rush. Set aside quiet time to pray, meditate on Scripture, worship. (Joshua 1:8)
– Deal with tempting situations – Don’t flirt with spiritual danger. Flee from compromise! (1 Corinthians 6:18)
– Accept trials graciously – When adversity hits, lean on God all the more. (James 1:2-4)
– Remain humble – Pride precedes the fall. Stay teachable and accountable. (Proverbs 16:18)
– Monitor your heart – Watch for the subtle drift away from wholehearted devotion to Christ. (Hebrews 2:1)
– Deal with doubts – Unanswered questions can lead to unstable faith. Seek godly counsel. (Jude 1:22)
– Care for others – Helping others fortifies our own faith and keeps priorities straight. (Philippians 2:4)
– Persevere – Determine to run the race to the very end, no matter what. (Galatians 6:9)
Above all, staying close to Jesus through His word and prayer is the best precaution against backsliding. Abiding in Him we will bear fruit that endures for eternity! (John 15:5-8)
God’s Response to Backsliding
How does God feel when someone He loves begins backsliding? Consider these Biblical truths:
– He is deeply grieved – God describes Himself as full of sorrow when His people turn from Him. (Psalm 119:158, Jeremiah 2:19)
– He disciplines as a Father – God will lovingly discipline a backslider to lead them back to godliness. (Hebrews 12:5-7)
– He waits eagerly – The Father watches and hopes for the return of the prodigal. (Luke 15:20)
– He readily forgives – Full restoration is granted to any backslider who repents. (Psalm 103:12, 1 John 1:9)
– He remembers no more – Once forgiven, the sins of backsliding are blotted out completely. (Jeremiah 31:34)
– He will rejoice – When a backslider returns, all heaven rejoices at the revival. (Luke 15:7)
Though grieved, God’s overwhelming desire is the backslider’s redemption. He seeks to restore, not to condemn. With open arms He waits, ready to receive anyone who comes home in repentance.
Backsliding Is Not Unforgivable
Some Christians fret that backsliding is an unpardonable sin. But Scripture offers hope:
– Jesus’ death is sufficient – Jesus’ sacrifice is able to cleanse any sin, even repeated backsliding. (1 John 1:7)
– Examples of restoration – Scripture records many who drew back but returned, like King David and the apostle Peter.
– Calls to former backsliders – The Bible directly addresses backsliders and calls them to return. (Jeremiah 3:12)
– Promised forgiveness – God promises complete cleansing to any who repent and turn back to Him. (Jeremiah 3:22)
– Warning against irreverence – The only unforgivable sin is perpetual rejection of Christ until death. (Hebrews 10:26-27)
So the only “unforgivable” backsliding would be one that remains unrepentant until death. As long as someone responds to God’s grace, they can be fully restored, no matter how gravely they’ve sinned. Our security rests in Christ’s redemptive work, not our own performance.
God Uses Backsliding and Restoration for Good
Though certainly not God’s desire, He can use seasons of backsliding and restoration to accomplish good purposes, including:
– Deeper gratitude – Those restored from drift have greater appreciation for grace and redemption. (Luke 7:41-43)
– Increased humility – Seeing our frailty makes us less prone to spiritual pride. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
– Empathy for struggling – We’re better equipped to minister to those with weak faith. (Galatians 6:1-2)
– Reliance on Christ – Learning we can’t follow God in our strength drives dependency on Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)
– Hope for others – Our testimony of repentance gives hope to other failing believers. (2 Corinthians 1:4)
– Future safeguards – Previous failure teaches what protections we need to avoid stumbling again. (Psalm 119:67, 71)
Though backsliding has consequences, God can bring much good from our wayward seasons if we return to Him. What the enemy means for evil, God redeems for His glory and our sanctification!