The Backslider
by Dr. J.C. House
10/26/2023
Proverbs 14:14 - “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways;”
Some statements in the Bible cause a Christian to pause in their reading and think about what is being said. Some words have the same effect on a Christian and our subject is one of those words. “BACKSLIDER”.
What does the word mean? Simply put, a backslider is a Christian who is out of touch with God. A careless, disobedient, and ineffective Child of God. Note some signs of backsliding:
• Proverbs 14:14 - “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: “
A terrible thing, filled with fleshly desires and deeds. Note the contrast, rather than being flesh driven, we walk after the Spirit.
• Romans 8:1 - “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Because the backslider is filled with his own ways, the outward signs are always the same.
1. HIS STATE IS INSECURE
Remember now, our state as a Christian and our standing are different. Our standing is that we are “in Christ” before God and that can never be changed. Our state is what we are down here, in the flesh, day by day what others see in us as we go about filled with our own ways, filled with apprehension and uncertainty, doubting God’s love, and questioning His wisdom. The backslider’s state is insecure.
2. HIS PROFESSION IS INSINCERE
Our profession is what we say to the world and as a backslider, one goes on professing to be a Christian, but because the inward condition is wrong, the outward profession is insincere, and the backslider is just putting up a front. Note Matthew 15:8 - “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” So, the backslider goes on, holding an office in the Church, still preaching, still a teacher, still on the mission field, still a pastor, still an evangelist, still a Christian worker with an empty profession.
3. HIS LIFE IS INCONSISTENT
It must be so because he is not behaving according to his beliefs. His creed is not being worked out in his conduct and he is miserable and usually causes problems.
4. HIS SERVICE IS INEFFECTIVE
If self is on the throne, “filled with his own ways” instead of Christ, a person’s service is always ineffective. God cannot use us when we are filled with our own self and as a result, there is very little fruit, if any, that comes from our so-called service. The service is carnal, of the flesh.
THE WAY BACK FOR THE BACKSLIDER
1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Isaiah 55: 6 - “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”
God waits with open arms for the repentant backslider to return to Him. Why not now?
10/26/2023
Proverbs 14:14 - “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways;”
Some statements in the Bible cause a Christian to pause in their reading and think about what is being said. Some words have the same effect on a Christian and our subject is one of those words. “BACKSLIDER”.
What does the word mean? Simply put, a backslider is a Christian who is out of touch with God. A careless, disobedient, and ineffective Child of God. Note some signs of backsliding:
• Proverbs 14:14 - “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: “
A terrible thing, filled with fleshly desires and deeds. Note the contrast, rather than being flesh driven, we walk after the Spirit.
• Romans 8:1 - “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Because the backslider is filled with his own ways, the outward signs are always the same.
1. HIS STATE IS INSECURE
Remember now, our state as a Christian and our standing are different. Our standing is that we are “in Christ” before God and that can never be changed. Our state is what we are down here, in the flesh, day by day what others see in us as we go about filled with our own ways, filled with apprehension and uncertainty, doubting God’s love, and questioning His wisdom. The backslider’s state is insecure.
2. HIS PROFESSION IS INSINCERE
Our profession is what we say to the world and as a backslider, one goes on professing to be a Christian, but because the inward condition is wrong, the outward profession is insincere, and the backslider is just putting up a front. Note Matthew 15:8 - “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” So, the backslider goes on, holding an office in the Church, still preaching, still a teacher, still on the mission field, still a pastor, still an evangelist, still a Christian worker with an empty profession.
3. HIS LIFE IS INCONSISTENT
It must be so because he is not behaving according to his beliefs. His creed is not being worked out in his conduct and he is miserable and usually causes problems.
4. HIS SERVICE IS INEFFECTIVE
If self is on the throne, “filled with his own ways” instead of Christ, a person’s service is always ineffective. God cannot use us when we are filled with our own self and as a result, there is very little fruit, if any, that comes from our so-called service. The service is carnal, of the flesh.
THE WAY BACK FOR THE BACKSLIDER
1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Isaiah 55: 6 - “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”
God waits with open arms for the repentant backslider to return to Him. Why not now?
Posted in Living for God, Relationship with Christ, The Church
Tagged with Proverbs 14, backslider, ineffective, repentance
Tagged with Proverbs 14, backslider, ineffective, repentance
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