Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Not Really Feeling Your Faith These Days?

We've all been there at one time or another. I'm talking about feeling less than enthusiastic about your faith, attending church, reading your Bible, doing things you know you shouldn't, and not caring that you do, etc. You know what I'm talking about. Maybe you recognize these symptoms by another name: backsliding.

Backsliding is when a born-again believer in Christ turns back to sin or becomes stubborn in his heart and refuses to submit to the will of God in his life. The outward actions are only symptoms of the real problem -- the attitude of the heart -- which must be dealt with in order to change the actions. Backsliding is like carnality, in that your own desires and devices are acted out as opposed to God’s will (1 Corinthians 3:3; Proverbs 14:14).

Now, what does scripture tell us about "backsliding?" Let's take a look, here are a few examples: Revelation 2:4,5; 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 7:25; Luke 15: 17,18; Isaiah 55:7; Hosea 14:4.

Next, let's examine some causes of backsliding. The causes of backsliding are many and varied. Some are hidden; others are obvious. But the usual tendency is to emphasize the externals: pornography, illicit sexual relationships, drunkenness, etc. The lack of positive, spiritual input (prayer and Bible study), however, has just as detrimental an effect upon the soul as the introduction of evil influences. Starvation can be as deadly as the ingestion of any lethal substance.

Jesus condemned the Pharisees not for what they did, but for what they failed to do: "...you neglect the weightier matters of the law," such as mercy, He said. He also told his disciples that they would be judged not just according to their relationship with him, but also by their neglect of "the least of these" (Matthew 25:35-45).

Not everything "lawful" is "expedient" or beneficial, Paul writes. Reading romance novels, for example, might not in itself cause one to go out and sin. (It could). But neglecting the Word of God certainly will. The "lust of the flesh," the "deceitfulness of riches," "the love of the world" – all these can entrap us and cause our downfall. But the pride of life, and hatred toward a brother, eat away from within and are just as destructive.

Want to hear some good news? The Lord does not condemn us for backsliding! Yes, God does not condemn us -- our own wickedness and backsliding do that (Jeremiah 2:19). Nor did Jesus come to do so, but to give us life abundantly (John 10:10). Therefore, if you will confess your sins, God will forgive you (I John 1:9). Accept His forgiveness and then forgive yourself.

Forgive those who have wronged you. Go to anyone you have wronged or resented and ask their forgiveness. Make restitution in whatever ways you can for any wrongs your backsliding has caused. If you are not baptized with the Holy Spirit, ask for and receive it (Luke 11:13). Then grow in Jesus and the way of the Lord. The Holy Spirit gives a Christian the ability to overcome sin. He gives power to be a Christ-like person. He guides, comforts, teaches spiritual truth, and equips with the gifts and qualities of God (Acts 1:8; John 14:16; I Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:22,23).

Sounds great, doesn't it? However, there are some consequences of backsliding that we need to be aware of. Backsliding often carries its own punishment (Proverbs 14:14; Jeremiah 2:17, 19; Romans 13:4). And its effects often extend far beyond the experience of the offender alone. Causing a brother to stumble is a serious offense. We will be held accountable not only for our own relationship with God, but for our conduct before men as well. Our life is "an open book," Paul writes, "known and read of all men."

People who do not hear what we say cannot help but observe the way we live. "Your actions speak so loudly," the saying goes, "that I can’t hear a word you’re saying." Therefore, we are to "love not in word, but in deed..." (1 John 3:18). Anyone who has experienced the Presence of God will never find lasting satisfaction outside of His will. This accounts for the inner frustration and bitterness of soul accompanying the abandonment of one’s soul to the unruly state of life without God.

Believe it, or not, there is a recovery process from backsliding. But, the road back to God is never long. As the father of the prodigal "ran to meet him," God always meets us at least half-way. Deciding to return, however, has often proven most difficult. While falling asleep is a gradual process, waking must be sudden – usually by an alarm, or a shaking. Recovering from a spiritually backslidden condition is no different. Depending on the degree of our fallen state, God often must use extreme measures to bring us back. He strives with the backslidden (2 Kings 17:15), and lovingly will use anything; sickness, misery, grief to get us to return. (Psalm 107:11-16).

Always keep this in mind. Falling away is essentially a heart condition. Though its manifestations may be primarily external, the root of the problem lies much deeper. And, even as many health problems can be caused by neglect as well as abuse, the Christian who neglects the Bread of Life can hardly expect to grow in the nature and admonition of the Lord.

If backsliding has been, or is a problem for you, let me leave you with the following prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to you in Jesus name, and I confess that I have fallen away from you. I ask you to forgive me and to restore to me the joy of my salvation. I forgive those who have sinned against me, and I ask you to give me the grace to walk in forgiveness every day. I invite you to be Lord over every area of my life. Baptize me in your Holy Spirit, and give me the power to live my life in obedience to your will. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen

-a special thanks to R. Kosaraju

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi