Backsliding Christians

DES WEE BIBLE STUDY

MENU
Home > Christianology (Doctrine Of Christians) > Backsliding Christians

BACKSLIDING CHRISTIANS
(Christianology : Doctrine Of Christians)
SECTION 1: WHAT DOES BACKSLIDING REFER TO

1. Is A Word For Israel, Jews Never For Christians
Jeremiah 2:19 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.
Jeremiah 2:14 Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
Jeremiah 5:6 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: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.
Jeremiah 3 Entire Chapter Jeremiah 8:5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
Jeremiah 14:7 O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
Jeremiah 31:22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
Jeremiah 49:4 Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?
Hosea 4:16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
Hosea 11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
Hosea 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
2. It Can Also Apply To An Individual Not Only Jews
Hosea 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
* Doctrinally it refers to jews, never for christians but practically we can use it for anyone
* Why can't we use it doctrinally for christians? Because so many are referred to Jews and only 1 verse that shows the word backsliding can be used for anyone. Another thing is this verse is in old testament but not in new testament

SECTION 2: DEFINITION OF BACKSLIDING

1. It Means Sliding Back
Hosea 4:16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
2. There Are Many Ways We Can Backslide
a. Turning Away Your Heart From God And Back To Sin
1 Kings 11:4 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.
b. Leaving Their First Love, First Love Is God
Revelation 2:3-5 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
* The church at Ephasus left God and they were gone from history
c. Depending On Works Or The Law For Salvation
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Wrong Teachings: Catholics will use this verse to show that backsliding or falling back will mean loosing salvation
* No, we don't fall out of salvation by grace, we are eternally secured
* See the verse to get the answer
* Noticed "whosoever of you are justified by the law": this means people who depend on works or the law, they will fall out of salvation
d. Falling Back To Sin
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
e. Becoming Cold
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

SECTION 3: BACKSLIDING IS A GRADUAL PROCESS

1. Lot Is A Perfect Example Of A Christian Who Sins And Backslide Slowly
2 Peter 2:6-9 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
* Lot is a saved man because God calls him righteous (verse 8)
* Lot commited sins
* Lets see how Lot backslide
a. Coveteousness: Wanting Something That Does Not Belong To Him
Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
* Lot wanted the land in Sodom and Gomorrah
b. Choice: He Made A Bad Decision
Genesis 13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
c. Compromise
Genesis 13:12-13 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
* Lot didn't sin immediately
* Lot did not live inside Sodom but just outside
d. Captured
Genesis 14:11-12 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
* Lot was captured by the enemy
e. Carnality: Loving The Sinful World
Genesis 19:1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
* Lot is now inside Sodom
* He has a job in Sodom that is sitting on the gate, watching things on the gate
* Lot loved Sodom so much, he doesn't want to leave
Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
* The angel told Lot to run away from Sodom because God is going to burn it to the ground
* But Lot lingered (hesitated)
f. Cripple: Becoming Weak
Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
* The man of Sodom wanted to rape the 2 angels. Lot didn't want the 2 angels to be raped. So Lot told the man of Sodom to rape his daughters instead.
g. Caved; Crashed, Finished, Done
Genesis 19:33-38 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
35 And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
37 And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.
38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.
* Lot's story ends by being a drunkard and sleeping with his own daughters and bearing children

SECTION 4: REASONS FOR BACKSLIDING

1. Coveteousness
Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
* coveteousness = wanting something that does not belong to us
2. Society
Genesis 19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
* Lot's wife loved the city so much
3. Fear
Matthew 26:70-74 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
* Peter denied Jesus because he was afraid that the he will be killed too
* Peter remained backslidden until John
4. Haughty Spirit: Pride
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
5. Selfishness
Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
6. Idolatry
Exodus 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
7. Disobedience
1 Samuel 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
8. Love Of Earthly Goods
Joshua 7:1-24
* Aken loved the worldly things in Jericho. He disobeyed God and kept those things for himself. He was stoned to death because of that.
9. Love Of Money
John 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
* Judas betrayed Jesus because of love for money
10. Lust
Nehemiah 13:26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
* The children of Israel married heathen women and backslide into sin.
11. Ambition For Power
Acts 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
12. Love Of The World
2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

SECTION 5: CAUSES FOR BACKSLIDING

1. Failure To Read The Bible
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
2. Failure To Pray
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
3. Failure To Attend Church
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
4. Failure To Yield To The Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
5. Failure To Confess Christ
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
* We are suppose to tell publicly about Jesus Christ
6. Failure To Mortify The Flesh: Kill The Flesh
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
7. Failure To Take Care Of The Eyes
Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
8. Failure To Press Forward
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
9. Failure To Confess Sin
1 John 1:6-7, 9 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

SECTION 6: CHECK UP FOR BACKSLIDING

1. Are You Loosing The Power Of The Spirit
Luke 4:1, 14 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
2. Are You Loosing Joy
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
3. Are You Loosing Peace
Isaiah 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
4. Are You Murmuring
Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
5. Are You Being Persecuted
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
6. Are You Being Punished
Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

SECTION 7: INVITATION FOR BACKSLIDERS

1. God Invites Backsliders Back & God Can Heal Us
Jeremiah 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
2. God Will Pardon Backsliders
Hosea 13:4 Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
3. God Calls Us A Good Person Even If We Fall As Long As We Get Back Up Again
Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)