BACKSLIDING, THE SPIRITUAL FALL AWAY!

[By Robert Arthur]

A Bible Class Booklet No. 6

A). THE TERMINOLOGY

The term “Backslide” or “Backsliding” is not found in many of our modern English translations of the Bible. But the concept however is vividly presented throughout the Word of God. In simple term the word Backslide in biblical sense means “a turning or falling away from the path of Christ Jesus into walking in the way of sin”. Therefore a Backslider is “one time a faithful child of God” who has stopped the fellowship with Christ Jesus and thereby living in a sinful lifestyle. Hos 11:7, John 6:60-66

In other words to backslide is to quit following the Lamb of God and cease the sweet communion with the Lord Christ Jesus and to live in worldliness. Now the Backslider in his daily life lives not for Christ but for himself (Pro 14:14, Gal 2:20, Rom 14:7). He has his full time conference with the evil companions. So he is now! – (Demas – 2 Tim 4:10, the Prodigal Son – Lk 15:11-16)

There are many Christian churches, sects and denominations who do not believe in this glaring truth of the concept of a backsliding Christian. They instead cling to the flawless doctrine of “Once saved, always saved”. Thus a child of God cannot sin, backslide or fall away and so to lose his salvation. Yet the Bible speaks plainly on this subject.

1. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened … if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance”. Heb 6:4-6

2. “….for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall”. 2 Pet 1:10

We should have to bear in mind that the term ‘backslide’ could perfectly mean a “fall away – 2 Thess 2:3, suffered shipwreck of faith – 1 Tim 1:19, leaving the first love – Rev 2:4, the love grow cold – Mat 24:12, fall from the grace – Heb 12:15”, etc. And the Word of God has sternly warned us against backsliding and falling away. It continues to pronounce dangers that await those who fall aside the way of the Christian journey. And ultimately God calls us and say “let him that thinks he stand take heed lest he fall (backslide)”. 1 Cor 10:12

B). LESSONS FROM ISRAEL’S HISTORY

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”. Rom 15:4. And that "these things were our examples…..and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come”. 1 Cor 10:6, 11

“The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you”. 2 Chron 15:2. Those were the pronouncements from Azariah to King Asa.

The history of the great nation Israel presents to us a good lesson regarding this topic. We saw after Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt in the wilderness, they became disobedient, backslide, and then fall away from the worship of the True God into idolatry (spiritual adultery) and etc. Exo 33, Num 25.

But what do I mean? About 603,550 Israelite immigrants from the land of Egypt (Num 1:45-46), only 2 souls, Joshua and Caleb were saved to enter the Promise Land (Num 14:29-30). Read Hebrews 3; 4.

During their stay in the Promise Land saw another sequence of disobedience, hardness of heart, fall away, and God’s punishments thereof to this same God’s chosen people (Israel). 2 Chron 15.   

It was so plain that such repeated rebellious attitude and unfaithfulness did happen after Israel’s deliverance (salvation). And this further goes to confirm our topic of discussion.

C). MAN, A FREE MORAL AGENT OF CHOICE

The Word of God reads;

1. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve”. Jos 24:15

2. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hear, say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely”. Rev 22:17

3. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Mat 11:28

4. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us”. 2 Tim 2:12

These Scriptures are so clear that God does not foist Himself on us to serve Him. He perfectly created man a free moral agent with the will to choose from whom he wants to serve at any point in time. God’s divine plan is to save and keep (secure) us in His sheepfold and from falling. John 10:28-29; 17:12. But this does not also take away our free will of choice to either stay in or escape from the pen. 

Peter said some “have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray”. 2 Pet 2:15

D). SOME CAUSES OF BACKSLIDING

There are some things which can possibly result or cause the Christians to backslide. Below are some causes.
1. Absence of Spiritual Leaders – (as in the case of Moses and the Israelites. Exodus 32). When church leaders are most frequently absent from the church meetings, forsake the shepherding and mentoring the sheepfold then eventually some individuals may develop lack of interest in the assembling of saints and backslide. Heb 3:13; 10:23-25

2. Evil Associations - This is another cause of backsliding. If the faithful child of God willfully refuses to walk in the light and fellowship of other Christians and joins himself with bad company, this will lead to backsliding. Paul admonishes the Corinth Christians, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God”. 1 Cor 15:33-34

3. Worldly Success & Riches - Success or riches in itself is not wrong, but the evil pursuance of worldly riches can corrupt the Christian life of faithfulness. Paul calls this worldly riches “filthy lucre or gains”. The wrongful want of worldly success is sin. It has led many to fall aside the way. Christians ought to be content! 1 Tim 6:6-10

4. Shallowness in the Word of God – This is the case whereby the Christian refuses to let the Word of God deeply rooted in him. The Christian has no business anymore to pray, read and study the Word of God. Satan finds it simple to deceive us if the word of God is not abounding in us. Lk 8:13

5. Nothing to do – Another cause of backsliding is this one. Many of our modern day Christians are just like spectators in the football stadium. All they do is to watch and criticize the team manager and the players on the field of play. But they fail to accept their role as sportsmen in the Christian perspective. 1 Cor 9:24-27. Ministerial dizziness or Christian idleness and laziness will eventually fall many away. Beware the devil is seriously at work! 1 Pet 5:8

The Elders should keep members busy and let them know their work in the ministry - Lk 12:42-48

6. Love for the world – The fervent gluing and attachment of oneself to the world (glamour of this world) sometimes blindfold us into walking to the ditch.1 John 2:15, Jam 4:4, 2 Tim 4:10

7. Lack of Interest in the Word of God – This is the situation when the child of God develops low or little interest in the word of God. He refuses to read and study God’s Word. Hence the Bible becomes adamant to him. 1 Cor 3:1-2, 1 Pet 2:1-2, Heb 5:12-14.

Sometimes such problems are caused by preachers and teachers. When the Bible or Sunday school classes always become boring, students/members show less interest in getting along in studies. It can easily cause one to backslide.

8. Mixed marriages – Marriage is honorable! It is the only human institution that was perfectly planned and designed by God for man and woman. Failing to accept the divine guidelines in marriage cause a lot marital issues.

I define the use of the term “mixed marriage” as any marital relationship between a child of God and an unbeliever. Many of our “dwarfness” and “spiritual disabilities” in growth of the faith are as a result of this type of marriage relationships. For a believer to marry an unbeliever is not entirely against the scriptures. But is like brushing your teeth with sharp razor blade. It is very dangerous!

I caution any believer who wants to marry to marry someone who is also or already a believer. In the same Christian faith I mean!

Marriages such as these can easily cause the Christian Brother or Sister to backslide. Neh 13:23-27, 1 Kgs 11:1-6. Refer Gen 26:34-35; 27:46; 28:1-9

9. Sickness, Trials, & Unanswered Prayers: These are other problems that could possibly cause the Christian to backslide. If the Christian faces series of trials, sickness, or if his wishes and requests are not answered or attended to, sometimes he loses the hope and assurance of his security. Hence, this child quit his fellowship and finds help from outside. Mk 4:18-19.

Christians ought to be patient and endure in times of difficulties. Jam 1:12; 5:11  

E). DANGERS OF BACKSLIDING

Some dangers and consequences of backsliding.

1. Religious indifferent (the love grow cold) - Mat 24:12
2. Unfit for the kingdom of God - Lk 9:62
3. Loss of spiritual enthusiasm - Rev 2:4
4. Lose of personal relationship with the Lord - 1 John 1:6
5. Separated from the peace, joy and assurance of God's presence. Heb 12:15-17

6. The divine ear to our prayers are shut - Ps 66:18
7. It results in spiritual sickness and death - 1 Cor 11:30
8. We miss our heavenly rewards at judgment - 1 Cor 3:15, 2 John 8
9. It ruins your testimony and witness, and puts one to public ridicule - Lk 14:28-32
10. Their latter end is worse than before - 2 Pet 2:20-22, Lk 11:24-26
11. Get divine displeasure - Heb 10:38

F). THE CURE OF BACKSLIDING

First, a backsliding Christian has to pray to God for forgiveness, confess, repent and turn back to God - Ps  32:1-5; 40:1-8; 51:1-19. Eg. King David - 2 Sam 12; King Hezekiah - 2 Chron 32:25-26

There are 2 parts to cure the backslider.

One, the human part:
1. Conviction - Mat 26:75
2. Confess - 1 John 1:9
3. Repentance - Ezk 18:30-32, Rev 2:5, 16; 3:3, 19

4. Perseverance – Eph 6:18

And God's part:
A). Forgiveness – 1 Sam 12:13, 1 John 1:9
1. Receives God's judicial forgiveness - (the death penalty is canceled).
2. Receives God's parental forgiveness - (relationships, fellowships are restored)

B). Restoration - Lk 15:22-24

G). THE CHURCH AND INDIVIDUALS

The church as a whole and individual members have serious role to play in restoring the backsliding Christians.

1. The church and the individual have to pray, seek and correct the backslider. Jam 5:16-20
2. The church and the individual have to earnestly try and help restore the backslider. Gal 6:1-2
3. The church and the individual have to show godly love to backsliders. 2 Cor 2:6

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