What is backsliding and what does that even mean? It is a reality in today’s church and one that is getting more difficult to ignore. Consider these verses from James:
James 5:19–20 (ESV)
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James refers to the reality of believers who have strayed from their faith, falling into a life inconsistent with their beliefs. While the question of whether someone can lose their salvation is often debated among believers, we can all agree that those who move away from their faith are in serious trouble and need to turn back to God. James passionately urges Christians to aid these backsliders, taking the initiative to pray for them, act in love, and bring them back into God’s forgiving embrace. Regardless of our denominational differences, we should all be active in the restoration of those who have turned away from their faith. As James reminds us in verse 20, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses” (Proverbs 10:12).
Why is Backsliding Happening?
So why is backsliding happening? The answer lies in our human nature – born in sin with hearts prone to corruption. Certainly, the events of the past few years have not helped with church growth and fellowship. The Old Testament provides ample examples of what is backsliding such as when Israel turned away from God to worship the idolatrous Canaanite gods (Judges 2:11-13). The allure of the Canaanite religion for a wicked, pleasure-seeking people was undeniable. It allowed them to remain selfish while seemingly fulfilling their religious obligations. Practices such as prostitution were not just permitted but encouraged as forms of worship. Morality took a backseat to their pantheon of gods.
However, backsliding is not solely anchored in the wickedness of our hearts. We can also stray when life is going well, mistakenly thinking that we don’t need God meddling in our happiness. During prosperous times, we often credit our own hard work and cleverness for our success and become prideful. We become so preoccupied with acquiring and managing wealth that we inadvertently push God out of our lives. Moses warned against this pitfall to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 8:11-14).
The same worldly worries, false sense of security brought on by prosperity, and desire for material possessions that plagued humanity in the past continue to plague us today. Our days are filled with busyness, chasing after materialistic pursuits that drown out God’s message. In our quest for social status and validation on social media, we become trapped in the superficial world we inhabit, losing sight of our true purpose. God is put on the back burner, with only occasional attendance at church or taking time to open our Bibles and study His word. In this state, Satan undoubtedly rejoices.
Facing the Reality
It is time to acknowledge the danger of backsliding and the serious consequences it holds. Let us be proactive in restoring those who have strayed, extending love, prayer, and support. May we resist the allure of worldly distractions and keep our focus on God’s Word, prioritizing our relationship with Him. Our purpose in life is too important to be compromised by the fleeting pleasures of this world. See my other posts surrounding the importance of discipleship for a more complete picture as well as information on this very topic here.
Backsliding is not a new phenomenon, but it needs our attention now more than ever. Together, we can combat backsliding and bring glory to God.
