NO BACKSLIDING

by Pastor T.d. KASUKU 

Who is a backslider? What is backsliding? 

A backslider is a Christian who gets out of touch with the Lord, a careless, disobedient, unhappy, ineffective Christian who has suffered a relapse and he (or she) is one of the most miserable people on earth.   

The term backsliding means, simply, "turning one's back on God." Ironically, God's people backslid mostly after times of great blessing and prosperity. Often, when God poured out incredible mercies on Israel, the people soon turned away from him. 

The word "backslide" literally means "turn back" or "turn away." 

A. Turning from God. 

Read 1 Kings 11:9 

B. Turning from our first love.  

Read Revelation 2:4 

C. Turning from the gospel. 

Galatians 1:6, 7; 3:1-5 

D. Turning to Satan. 

1 Timothy 5:15 

E. Turning to evil. 

Psalm 125:5 

F. Turning to the world. 

2 Timothy 4:10 

G. Turning aside, off-course, "like a deceitful bow." 

Jeremiah 14:7 

Where does backsliding start ? 

Backsliding always begins in the heart. 

It is the backslider in heart who is filled with his own ways. Backsliding begins inwardly, long before the outward evidences are seen (such as giving up church attendance, prayer and Bible reading, and losing love for the Lord’s work and for soul-winning).  

 What to do to prevent from backsliding ? 

1. Guard your heart more than anything else (what do you see? What do you hear? What do you say? What do you think? What do you read?)  Read Proverbs 4:23 

2. Get closer to God (do you start your day with Jesus? With prayer? With the Bible? Are you thankful to God? Do you seek for his advice? Who are your friends? Are you committed to the Lord?)  Read Psalm 65:4  Psalm 145:18  Hebrews 4:8 

3. Grow in faith, in love, in hope, in grace, in knowledge, in Christ. Read Ephesians 3:17-19; 2 Peter 3:18

QUESTION TO PONDER 

What is the state of our heart today?