Read about the relapse of John Mark (Acts 13:13); of Demas (2 Timothy 4:10); but note that the record only tells of the outward evidence of backsliding which had begun previously in the heart. When you read the Bible, pray, and talk through implications for life, then you encourage one another unto faithfulness by hating sin and loving Christ – Heb. OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. Jonah had two options in his dark pit of despair. You can't witness anymore. And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a writ of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and was a harlot also. The church of Jesus Christ has become prosperous.
It's easy to talk about overcoming temptations, but not so simple avoiding them, especially if we don't know what they are. These and similar infractions in our Christian life are definite indication of backsliding. Robert Robinson, a Baptist minister and scholar in 18th-century London, wrote one of the great hymns of faith, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. " When you backslide you become a coward. What an awful condition Jonah found himself in: total darkness, seaweed wrapped around his body, water sloshing up against him constantly.
But such attempts are in themselves a mark of degeneracy - a cover up - Matt 23:25-28. Backsliding » Brings its own punishment. They will be filled with their own prejudices. Backsliding » Results of » Selfish absorption. God's Word is full of stories about those who paid little attention to God's warnings about backsliding. SYMPTOM #3: Defensiveness about Your Disinterest Luke 22:56–60. He is not walking with God. I'd give anything to experience again the joy I knew then. " Yet you are robbing Me! "Return thou backsliding Israel" - Jer 3:12. Nature of backsliding: 1.
God disciplines the backsliden in love. If you allow yourself to live in despair and guilt you can die in that state. Israel took God's words lightly, and God let them be carried into Babylon's captivity for three whole generations. I'm only destroying myself. " And no human power can deliver from it! He has no heart to consult the interests of the Church, or to labor for its up-building, and yet he is under covenant obligation to do so, and his reputation is at stake. Jesus said, "it is finished" on the cross. Even submarines have to be pressurized to go into the deep. WHERE DOES BACKSLIDING BEGIN? Sometimes temptations just overwhelm us. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. "Christians should distance themselves from backsliders" Discuss. When God sent His judgment on David thousands of people died. He dishonors God and slanders Him as though there were some fault in Him – Jeremiah 2:5; Micah 6:3.
Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God" (Jeremiah 3:20-22). Having been guilty of this infinite folly, the whole course of his backslidden life must be that of a fool, in the Bible sense of the term. Backsliding » Results of » Divine displeasure. He loses his Christian influence, and if he persists he loses his soul. "Remember that if you are a child of God, you will never be happy in sin.
He is not walking with, but contrary to God. When God has a controversy with a backslider, it affects everyone around him. According to Rev 2:5, how can we be restored from Backsliding? Likewise, many backslidden Christians are sending their coworkers to hell. When the ship's captain found Jonah asleep in the hold, he shook him awake and soundly rebuked him: ".. meanest thou, O sleeper? Reading our Bible every day can help us find what we need when we struggle with sin. At some time and point they all backslid into serious sin. Scripture proves that it's not just my problem. Might Lead You Into Apostasy.
Progress is forward while backsliding movement is backward direction. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Yet if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the father- JESUS, the Messiah, one who is righteous. " What kind of God do you serve, Jonah? " All rights reserved.