Topical Bible: Backsliding: Liable to Continue and Increase

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Backsliding refers to the process by which an individual who has previously committed to a life of faith and obedience to God begins to regress into former sinful behaviors and attitudes. This spiritual decline is often gradual and can lead to a more entrenched state of rebellion against God if not addressed. The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings about the dangers of backsliding, emphasizing its tendency to continue and increase if left unchecked.

Biblical Examples and Warnings

The concept of backsliding is vividly illustrated in the history of Israel. Despite experiencing God's deliverance and blessings, the Israelites repeatedly turned away from Him, adopting the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. In Jeremiah 3:22, God calls out to His people, "Return, O backsliding children; I will heal your backslidings." This plea highlights both God's willingness to restore and the persistent nature of Israel's spiritual decline.

The prophet Hosea also addresses the issue of backsliding, particularly in Hosea 11:7, where it is written, "My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to Him on high, He will not exalt them at all." This passage underscores the stubbornness of the human heart and the tendency to drift away from God despite His continuous call to repentance.

The Nature of Backsliding

Backsliding is often characterized by a gradual departure from spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. This decline can be fueled by various factors, including complacency, worldly temptations, and unresolved sin. Hebrews 3:12 warns, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God." This admonition serves as a reminder of the subtlety with which backsliding can take root in a believer's life.

The New Testament further cautions against the dangers of backsliding. In 2 Peter 2:20-22, the apostle Peter describes the perilous state of those who have known the way of righteousness but have turned back to their former ways. He writes, "It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn back from the holy commandment passed on to them."

The Consequences of Backsliding

The continuation and increase of backsliding can lead to severe spiritual consequences. Proverbs 14:14 states, "The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his own ways, but a good man will be rewarded for his." This verse highlights the principle of reaping what one sows, indicating that persistent backsliding results in spiritual barrenness and separation from God's blessings.

Moreover, backsliding can lead to a hardened heart, making repentance more difficult. Hebrews 6:4-6 warns of the impossibility of renewing to repentance those who have fallen away after having once been enlightened. This sobering passage serves as a caution against taking lightly the grace and knowledge of God.

God's Call to Repentance

Despite the grave consequences of backsliding, the Bible consistently affirms God's readiness to forgive and restore those who return to Him. In Joel 2:12-13, the Lord implores, "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion."

The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 further illustrates God's eagerness to welcome back the repentant sinner. The father's joyful reception of his wayward son serves as a powerful image of divine mercy and the restoration available to those who turn from their backsliding ways.

In summary, backsliding is a serious spiritual condition that, if not addressed, is liable to continue and increase. The Bible provides both warnings and hope, urging believers to remain vigilant in their faith and to seek God's forgiveness and restoration when they find themselves straying from His path.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 8:5
Why then is this people of Jerusalem slid back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 14:7
O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do you it for your name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Self-Humbling and Self-Searching
... who fails in this exercise is liable to every ... soul seeking Christ; here is another
backsliding; here is ... it mechanically, fall into a monotony, continue in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/self-humbling and self-searching.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... yet they were obliged not only to do, but continue to do ... least commandments in the
least degree, he became liable to the ... So am I. Are you backsliding sinners? ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm

Christian Behavior
... be very diligent and circumspect, doing his utmost endeavour both to increase faith
where ... under a double engagement: 1. For that she lieth liable every moment ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... Charles the Second"both of them liable, without a ... exhortation to Timothy, that he
should continue watchful, and ... to take more pleasure in the increase of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... for sin and uncleanness; and as they are liable to pollution ... received grace; for
intercession is made to continue one in ... Second, Men turned from backsliding. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... diminution. For increase has no place in the infinite, and that which is
by its nature passionless excludes all notion of decrease. ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Doctrine
... ten, he doth commit treason, as if he had broke them all, and lieth liable to have ...
For, so to continue, according to the sense of this Scripture, is to hold on ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... therewith; this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by
its working) from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase it in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm