INTRODUCTION: In the second part of this series, we discovered that backsliding is not merely ceasing to follow Jesus Christ. Changing a Christian decision, condoning sin, remembering old glories, resting on oars, being unprogressive, loss of enthusiasm and failure to make disciples are all cases of backsliding. We also discovered that causes of backsliding include disappointment by Christians elders, satanic deceit, pride of achievement, evil association, comfort arising from worldly success, wrong spiritual leadership and severe trials. In this study, we want to consider the sorrows of a backslider, how to cure backsliding and how to prevent it. May the Lord quicken our understanding as we study at His feet in Jesus Name. Amen.
1. THE SORROWS OF A BACKSLIDER ARE MANY AND VARIED A backslider has many problems to contend with. Some of these problems are (a) a deep feeling of emptiness (b) Severe loneliness (c) Misery (d) Anxiety (e) Poverty spiritual as well as physical (f) Sickness (g) Inability to approach God and (h) inability to witness due to guilty conscience. This is so because when a backslider loses the only genuine friend in the world, he will quickly realize that there is no substitute for Christ anywhere.
Ps. 22:1,-Is. 59:1-2; Ps. 142:4; Luke 15:16; Pr. 14:15; Rom. 2:9; Ps. 51:8, 12; Is. 59:8; Amos 8:11; Jer. 5:4:Deut. 28:15-58; Ps. 51:11; 51:12-15.
2. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE If you are a backslider and you want full restoration, you must first of all allocate where you went wrong, repent and restitute your ways. Then you can stall all over again. But surely it is better never to backslide even once. To prevent backsliding, you must be willing to lose your life in order to find it. The steps you are to take constantly include (i) Mortification of the flesh (ii) crucifixion of affections (iii) consecration of all you consider as gain (iv) separation from earthly ties and (v) living a life of absolute surrender.
Eze. 18:31; Rev. 2:5; John 3:30; Matt. 10:39; II Cor. 4:11; Gal. 2;20; John 12:24; Rom 8:13; Phil. 3:7-8, Luke 14:26; Rom. 12:1; Act. 1:8.
