THE BITTERNESS OF BACKSLIDING

This afternoon I want to give us a crash course into backsliding in our lives and and truly take a look and see where we are and where we could possibly be headed.

Let’s define it and then lets look at what it looks like and what it results are. So if you will, it is part preaching and part Bible study which is always I believe, makes a great message.

I. BACKSLIDER DEFINED

It is not a common word in the Bible thought is used - it is not a title such as apostate, and its Hebrew word that is translated into it means just simply backward.

The 1828 Websters defines it simply as well: But really points out some the reasons for it to.

An apostate; one who falls from the faith and practice of religion. One who neglects his vows of obedience and falls into sin.

A. The backslider is selfish

B. The backslider is full of his own ways

Proverbs 14:14 KJV

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

C. The backslider forsakes what he has learned

Jeremiah 2:19 KJV

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

D. Backslider deliberately disobeys the law

Ruth 1 teaches us about Elimelech and his family.

They left the Land, their home and friends.

They lost the love, the joy and the They learned the lesson of backsliding the hard way.

Ruth 1:20 KJV

And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

F. The Backslider harbors his sin

The Christian who harbors secret sin in his life is looking for trouble. When a Christian sins, and he doesn’t confess it for a time he thinks he has gotten away with it. But you never do.

Numbers 32:23 KJV

But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

E. The Backslider pursues the lusts of the flesh

Gal. 5:17–21

Loves money, pleasure and material possessions.

Lean toward obtaining or indulging in these desires.

Lust starts to gradually control your life until you are enslaved.

II. THE BACKSLIDERS LOOK

Ps. 137:1–4.

A. False front

about your Christian testimony

B. Fake faith

excusing the missing of services

C. Fireless feeling

no real joy and excitement about your salvation.

D. Forgotten feeling

The joy of the Lord is gone and the heart is empty. David knew his condition. He prayed to God for what he needed:

Psalm 51:12 KJV

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

III. BIBLE EXAMPLES OF BACKSLIDING

A. Sodom and Gomorrah

Jude 7 KJV

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

B. David fulfilling his lusts

C. Samson wasting his power and anointing

D. The prodigal son

E. Peter pursuing while evading

IV. THE RESULTS OF BACKSLIDING

A. Unrest

at home, job, church—miserable and unhappy.

B. Unwillingness

to face facts about the real need.

C. Unrighteousness

continues to get worse until judgment falls.

D. Unfellowshipped

1 Corinthians 5:4–5 KJV

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

E. Unnecessary Correction

We require correction from God as his children that we otherwise would not need to endure.

Hebrews 12:6–7 KJV

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Psalm 89:32–33 KJV

Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

F. Unrealized reward

1 Cor 3:11-15

V. THE RESTORATION OF THE BACKSLIDER

The dealing of the Holy Spirit is not a game.

The delay is far more dangerous than you think.

There needs to be a deep desire to repent. I think most backsliders have that feeling at least for a time or at times.

A. Self-judgement spares the life

1 Corinthians 11:30–31 KJV

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

B. Sin can and will be forgiven if confessed

1 John 1:8–9 KJV

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

C. A new heart can be given if we truly repent

Let’s look at Psalm 51 together and read through it. It is always the chapter I go to when I need to get back on track wherever I’ve gone astray.

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