Signs of a Backslidden Heart

TEXT: Revelation 2:1-5 and Judges 16:15-21

TOPIC: Signs of a Backslid Heart

Bobby Earls First Baptist Icard, NC

Sunday morning, April 19, 1998

One of the great tragedies of the modern church is backslid church members. I believe the problem of backslidden Christians accounts for much of the church’s weaknesses and failures.

Because of backslid Christians today the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is like a sickly and diseased Olympic athlete who instead of running to win the race, is grasping for breath desperately trying to simply remain in the running.

The prophets of the Old Testament made frequent use of the phrase “backslid, backslide, backsliding, backslider, or backslidden,” when referring to Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.

For example, Jeremiah 8:5 Why [then] is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? Also, Hosea 11:7 my people are bent to backsliding from me:

These passages specifically refer to God’s people’s unfaithfulness by serving other gods and by living immoral lives. Regrettably, little has changed.

I dare say that as much as 80 percent of the church today is backslid! That accounts for the statement we often hear that 20 % of the church members do 80 % of the work. Or that 20% of the church give 80% of the finances. That’s because 80% of the church is backslid. We have grown careless, indifferent and negligent when it comes to our commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the most frightening aspect of the church’s backsliddeness is the fact that most Christians are not even aware that they are backslid on God.

I want to share with you using two very different Scripture passages some of the signs of a backslid heart.

Revelation 2:1-5 “1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

I. GOD’S COMMENDATION TO THE CHURCH, 1-3

II. GOD’S CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE CHURCH, “I know your works”

III. GOD’S CONDEMNATION OF THE CHURCH, 4

IV. GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNING TO THE CHURCH, 5

Look also at Revelation 3:14-17 the church of Laodicea.

Now consider the example of Samson from the pages of the Old Testament.

Judges 16:15-21 “15 And she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and you have not told me where your great strength lies.” 16 And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. 17 And he told her all his heart, and said to her, “A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.” 18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up again, for he has told me all his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. 19 She made him sleep on her knees. And she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. 20 And she said, “The Philistines are upon you Samson”

Notice verse 20, “and he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.” The NIV says “he did not know that the Lord had left him.”

I. SIN COST SAMSON HIS STRENGTH WITH THE LORD

Samson’s sin was a weakness with women. Lust and immorality consumed his life.

II. SAMSON WAS UNAWARE THAT HE HAD LOST THE ANOINTING OF GOD ON HIS LIFE. v. 20

III. THERE’S ALWAYS A PRICE TO PAY FOR BACKSLIDDENESS, v. 21

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A BACKSLIDDEN HEART?

1. Lack of spiritual enjoyment. “left first love” spiritual romance is over. The honeymoon with Jesus is finished. No more joy, excitement, or enthusiasm.

2. Live your Christian life with an outward formality. “Rend your heart and not your garments.” Joel 2:13. Going through the motions. Hypocrisy. Wearing a mask.

3. Loss of self-control. (Examples, uncontrollable temper, anger. Bad language. Interest in unwholesome, unrighteous entertainment.)

4. Lost interest in spiritual conversations. Never talk about Jesus, God, the bible, church, never witness, etc.

5. Love for the world, 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (NIV)

6. Lack of interest in the poor, the needy, the lost, the hurting, missions.

7. Loose lips. Gossip, fault finder, negative.

8. Lack of prayer in your life or your families’ life.

9. Loss of interest in reading and studying the word of God.

10. Lack of support of the house of God in attendance, in involvement, in giving.

What can you do? Three things:

1. Self evaluation “remember” Revelation 2:5

2. Self restoration “repent”

3. Self motivation “return” “do the first works”

Our revival will give many of us an opportunity to evaluate our standing with God. If you find you are backslid, then repent and return to the Lord.