BACKSLIDING

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Lesson objectives

* Examine ourselves
* To know where we are and acknowledge the position we bare
* To return back to God.

Memory verse: Jeremiah 3:22

Main text: Luke 15.

Meaning: backslide means to turn back, or turn away from;

* God 1st kings 11:9
* Our first love Rev. 2:4
* From the gospel Gal. 1:6. Turning from the gospel means turning away from grace.
* Turn to the world II Tim. 4:10

Lk.15
Does backsliding happen suddenly?
Capital NO. It comes as a gradual process.
It may start with a general feeling of spiritual indifference, Amos 6:1 as we focus upon
spiritual things, the flesh seeks fulfillment.

1. Initially our prayer life may be crowded out with other interest e.g. sports, hobbies, and television.
As we fill our heart and lives with junk food, over hunger for the word of God diminishes
2. Church attendance slackens off and relationship with God undergoes extreme stress [some still act in the state of hypocrisy].
3. The zeal and concern for souls subsides due to a sense of guilt and hypocrisy
4. The fear of God departs and a complete reordering of priorities in our life occurs
5. It becomes easy to justify actions we never otherwise would have considered acceptable.
6. Our sensitivity to spiritual things is not what it used to be, we may sense very little guilt. 1st Tim 4:2
7. An over-confidence in one’s former standing with God (as opposed to confidence in God)can falsely convince an individual that God can overlook his present conduct (Hos. 7:2)

Backsliding means a sliding back — not a jump off a but a coasting dunghill. The condition however, whole not sudden in onset, may escalate rapidly.
All it takes is a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of hands to rest. Proverbs 8:10, 24:33
A little leaven ferments the whole lump Gal 5:9.
Satan tempted Jesus when he was physically weak and he attacks us at our weakest times, in our weakest areas. A Christian might never be tempted to murder but faces countless opportunities to hate or speak evil of his brother. The backsliding condition is manifested externally in (cursing, drinking, lying, fornication, adultery) but it occurs in the heart. The backslider’s condition may remain hidden, yet filled with lust, jealousy, and bitterness.
The backsliding begins in the heart 1st kings 11:4. The bible makes us to understand that when Solomon became old his wives turned his heart to worship other Gods

Food for thought according to Charles Spurgeon
When a child runs away from its home because of a brutal parent, it is excused but when a child leaves a tender mother and an affectionate father what shall we say.
If the sheep quits a barren field to seek after needed pasturage, who shall blame it? But if it leaves the green pastures and forsakes the still waters to roam over the sand or go to bleating in the forest among the wolves, in the midst of danger, hoe foolish a creatures it broves itself.
Charles Spurgeon.

Brethren, if we turn away from God, from our first love, from the gospel and turn to the world, world lust! Of what gain is it to us.

Word backsliding
What are the things we see in life of a backsliding child of God.

CAUSES OF BACKSLIDING

LESSON 2

1. Bad Relationship HOS 4:17
a. Marriage to ungodly men Neh. 13:26, it was what led king Solomon into sin………., 2nd Corinthians 6:14-16, be not unequal yoke with……….
b. Bad friends 1st peter 4:2-4
1st Corinthians 15:33
c. Lack of fellowship Hebrew 10:25.
d. Adultery 4:4 friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God. I say it again, if your aim is to enjoy this world, you cannot be a friend of God

2. Spiritual Lack
a. Col 2:8 don’t let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy
2nd timothy 4:3-5 for a time is coming when people no longer listen to right teaching
b. Inadequate teaching: poor teaching. Heb. 5:11-14, poor foundation.
c. Poor leadership exodus 32:1-6
d. Neglect of prayer life Zeph.1:6, luke18:1
e. Spiritual apathy proverbs 6:10.

3. Compromise With The World 2nd kings 17:33,41

4. Attitude And Intensions
a. pride proverbs 16:18 pride goes before destruction
Luke 18:11-12,14 the story by Jesus to someone who had great self-
Confidence and scorned everyone else
b. Rebellion 1st sam. 15:11,23 [I am sorry that I ever made Saul king for
he has not been loyal to me……
Vs 23 Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is
as bad as worshiping idols
c. Stubbornness 2nd kings 17:14,40 , Jeremiah 4:7

CONSEQUENCES OF BACKSLIDING

LESSON 3

A. Spiritual decay
· Faulty testimony. 2nd sam.12:14 you have given enemies of the lord great opportunity to despise…….
· Insensitivity to the word. Hos.8:12, Even though I gave all laws, they act as if those laws don’t apply to them.
· Bad examples to others. Prov. 28:10, Those who lead upright into sin will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things
· No fear of God. Jere 2:19

B. A breach in one’s personal relationship with the lord.
· Loss of sensing his presence. Num.14:14, Isaiah 59:2, but there is a problem, your sins has cut you off from God.becuse of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
· Secured conscience 1st Tim.4:2 the teachers are hypocrites and liars. they pretend to be religious, but their conscience are dead.
· Grieving the Holy spirit: Ephesians 4:30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy spirit by the way you live, remember he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

C. Unanswered prayers. Isaiah 59:2 your sins cut you off from God, because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
· Defeat: 2nd Chr. 24:24 although means attacked with only a small army the lord helped them conquer the much larger army of Judah.
· Death and shortened life. Det. 30:17-19, 1st Corinth. 11:30 for this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep.
· Forfeiture of God’s blessings. Mal. 2:2, honour my name says the lord Almighty of I will bring a terrible curse against you….

D. Loss of position.
Loss of fellowship. 1st john 1:7
Removal from position of usefulness. 1st sam. 15:11, 26

LESSON 4

What Can We Do To Receive The Backsliders From Their Condition?

1. Reach out to them in love. Gal.6:1
2. We must let them know the importance of prayer, fasting, and studying the word of God. 2nd chr.7:14.
3. The chastening of the lord (difficulties) in causing us to be willing to return Jer. 2:19-27 own wickedness shall correct thee and thy backsliding shall reprove thee.
4. The importance of humility. Prov. 3:34, the lord mocks at mocker, but shows favour to the humble.
5. Acknowledgement of guilt and weakness Jere.14:7
6. Repentance and confession.

Safeguards against Backsliding

a) Prayer. Luke 22:16
b) The word of God. Luke 4:4,8
c) The prayers of others. Luke 22:31-32
d) Diligence to spiritual things. 2nd peter1:5-7
e) Walk in the spirit. Gal 5:16
f) Abstinence 1st peter 2:11
g) Godly living. Romans 6:19-22
h) Self examination. 2nd Chr. 23:5
i) Exhortation of other believes Heb10:25.

The Call To Return.

Jeremiah 3:22. God loves the backslider and promise to receive those who return with repentant heart

Dr. Udoh
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