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Backsliding is a biblical term which has not always been clearly understood; therefore, let us devote this study to a better understanding
of the word and related Scriptures. The words backsliding, backslidings, and backslider are found only in the Old Testament.
There are about seventeen Scripture references to these words, all found in the books of Jeremiah and Hosea, except for one reference
in Proverbs.
While the word backsliding is found only in the Old Testament, the idea which is set forth by the word is presented in the New Testament
as well. In fact, backsliding has plagued the people Of God in every age. It was a vice which often characterized the Jewish people
throughout their history as recorded in the Old Testament; however, it is evident that Gentiles, too, have been guilty of this dreadful sin.
The meaning of this sin called backsliding is simple. It means turning back, away, or around. The idea is that people voluntarily turn away
from God and His inspired teachings. The turning may manifest itself in a variety of ways, such as: (1) turning the mental faculties of one's
mind from God, (2) causing feelings of love for God to diminish, or (3) turning physical energies from God and His service. Therefore,
backsliding suggests that a person turns away from God, His service, and the path of righteousness as taught in His Word. It may be done
either by emotion or action, but the results are always the same; the individual turns away from God.
Before we go any further, let us clarify a misconception about backsliding. Some believe that when backsliding occurs the person
involved is lost and becomes unsaved again. Their idea is that the backslider goes back to his former state of sin and condemnation;
however, such an idea does not express Bible truth. The Bible plainly declares that salvation is by the grace of God and not by the works
of men. Paul said, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man
should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). God chose people to be His own (Eph. 1:4), predestinated them to be adopted into God's family (Eph. 1:5),
and gave His Son to die for their redemption (Eph. 1:7). He also sends His Holy Spirit to quicken them into divine life, and such individuals
belong to God forever. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28).Add the words of Paul, "...Being confident
of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ ..." (Phil. 1:6), and
it should be evident that the saved are always saved. Salvation is God's work, He is glorified by it, and the failures of frail creatures cannot
undo it or deprive God of His rightful glory. So backsliding does not mean that a person once bound for heaven will be consigned to hell.
He may have returned to some past sin, but not to his former condition. Herein lies our blessed hope through grace.
We must be careful not to view this sin too lightly. A person who turns away from God and falls back into the old habits is in a
deplorable and dangerous position. He may drift from his church and lose much of the benefits of his religion, but worst of all he will find
himself under the just judgments of God from whom he has turned. Notice carefully the warnings of God's Word. "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 fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts" (Jer. 2:19). Again Jeremiah warned, "Wherefore
a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: everyone
that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased" (Jer. 5:6).
There can be no doubt that judgment was pronounced on God's people because of their sins, which included backslidings, and yet they
persisted in those sins. Jeremiah wrote, "Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding?they hold fast deceit,
they refuse to return" Ger. 8:5). Many are doing the same today, as they travel the path of backsliding. Some continue to turn away from
God even though the New Testament Scriptures call us back to God and warn us of our apostasy. Paul asked, "But now, after that ye have
known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in
bondage?" (Gal. 4:9). Peter said, "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning" (2 Peter 2:20). When
we consider the consequences, we recognize that backsliding is a serious problem, against which we should diligently guard ourselves.
In spite of all the warnings which inform us of the perils of turning from God, throughout the ages people have persisted in this sin.
Solomon in all his wisdom seemed guilty of the sin of backsliding. "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned
away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father" (l Kings 11:4).
It is heart-rending that a man so richly blessed of God would turn away from the source of his wisdom and riches. However, he was not
alone, for countless others have been guilty of backsliding. Demas forsook Paul and the work of our Lord, preferring again the vanities
of this world (2 Tim. 4: 10). Perhaps you know someone who is guilty of this sin, or, as you read, you might realize that you yourself have
been guilty. I implore you to be watchful lest you make this sin perpetual Ger. 8:5).
If God's Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart and you are concerned about this sin, then you may be wondering about its solution. The
solution is repeated in the pages of Scripture as an echo in the mountains - turn and return to God. God said, "Go and proclaim
these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for
I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever" Ger. 3:12). Again He said, "Turn, 0 backsliding children, saith the Lord;
for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion" Ger. 3:14). Notice this
exhortation in Jeremiah 3:22, as God calls us back and backsliders respond: "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your
backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God." The message of God is a simple one: turn, ye turned-away
children, and return to me. He calls those of us who have turned away from Him in any measure to return again. How will you respond
to this divine plea? To those who return, God promises, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away
from him" (Hosea 14:4).What blessed hopes are ours, when we return to God!
Now in conclusion let U3 summarize by remembering the dangers of backsliding, for all of us are subject to this sin. It begins as just
a little thing, even as roads that fork are at first separated by only a few feet but eventually by a distance of many miles. Even so, we
may slowly and gradually begin to drift from God, but drifting is the first sign of backsliding and this lesson should serve as fair warning.
Take an honest look at your life and service to God. Are you as close to God as you once were? Do you attend church, read your Bible,
and spend time in prayer as frequently as you once did? If not, you have symptoms of the sin of backsliding. I beg you to turn and return
to God. Seek His help in doing so, read His Word, and allow other loving saints to help you along the way. It is for your spiritual
edification that I emphasize the tragedy of this sin of backsliding.
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