The Ballestero Blog

Warning! Backsliding Is Not Fun!

2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Backsliding Is Not Fun!

It’s the most painful choice a child of God can ever make. It’s hard! Backsliding is so dangerous that even if it was the last thing in the world to consider, it should never be an option.

Have you ever listened to new converts tell how happy they are to find this Pentecostal, Holy Ghost experience? They tell how empty they were before and how long they searched for happiness while in sin.

Even after listening to their testimonies, some foolish church members look at sinners and think maybe they are missing out on something. So they walk away from the greatest life in the world to enjoy sins pleasures. Pleasure that only last for a season.

Walking away from God will never be fun and games. Before you walk out on God, take another look at the warning signs.

1. Warning! Life Away From God Is Empty!

·      Saul spent 40 years learning to live without God.

·      Psalm 16:11  … in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

2. Warning! Your Life Will Not Turn Out As Planned.

·      Expect the worst!

·      It’s going to be unpleasant and hard!

·      Proverbs 13:15 …the way of transgressors is hard.

3. Warning! One Of The First Things That ‘Takes A Hit’ Is The Backsliders’ Marriage!

·      2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

4. Warning!  Backsliders Are Hard To Reason With! They’re Hard Headed!

·      Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways:

·      Hosea 11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me:

5. Warning! Backsliders Will Get Caught In Their Own Sin Trap!

·      Proverbs 11:6 …but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

6. Warning! The Way Of Transgressor Is Hard!

·      Divorce.

·      Babies born out-of-wedlock.

·      STD’s.

·      Drugs.

·      Addictions.

·      Jail time.

·      Financial losses.

·      Damaged reputation at home and among acquaintances.

·      Shame.

·      Embarrassment.

·      Dragging your family and friends down with you. If you ever recover, they might not.

·      Rationalizing and justifying your sins.

·      Alienated from God.

7. Warning! Backsliders Are Wasters.

·      The Prodigal Son

·      Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

8. Warning! Some Old Testament Backsliders Didn’t Go Unpunished!

·      Cain

·      Esau

·      Lot’s Wife

·      Balaam

·      Aaron’s Sons

·      Eli’s Sons

·      Saul

9. Warning! God May Let You Go Unprotected While You Are Astray!

·      “Like a lamb in a large place.” A Shepherd doesn’t normally turn lamb loose in the wilderness to fend for itself.

·      God will allow you to be vulnerable to the wolves of sin when you go astray.

·      Hosea 4:16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

·      The safest place to be is in His fold, not turned loose.

·      Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

10. Warning! Repentance Is A God Provided Privilege, Not Something You Can Do On A Whim!

·      No one gets to repent unless God grants him or her the privilege.

·      Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

What Are The Chances Of A Backslider Wanting To Recover?

·      What are the chances of God letting them recover?

·      If God is willing to give a backslider another chance, they should not wait another moment.

·      God knows how to build a custom-made prayer room for backsliders.

If a backslider speaks critical of the pastor, the standards, or the saints – I see little hope.

If they admit they are not in church, but say if they ever got back in church, they would come back home… I see much more hope.

Now For The Good News! Every Backslider Can Be Healed!

·      Jeremiah 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.

·      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.

Start The New Year Out Right. Get Your Walk With God Back On Track!