Backsliding Class

Skiing backward is a bad idea. It’s not something we would usually choose to do. But sometimes it happens without trying, and, as I can testify, it usually ends in pain.

Today in Wisdom University, we want to look at something even more dangerous than sliding backward on snow: sliding backward in our soul, a dangerous activity that always results in pain. Proverbs 14:14 answers the question How does God motivate us to avoid backsliding and advance forward? Let’s look at the danger and pain of going backward, and the blessing of going forward in our spiritual life.

As we saw in our last class, only true believers are on Believe Right Road, but, as Proverbs 14:14 tells us, they are not all heading in the same direction. Some are going backward (often called backsliding), while others are going forward (growing in grace and advancing in holiness).

Backsliding Breeds Backsliding (14:14)

“The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways” (14:14).

Backsliding can happen to the best of us, as King Solomon, the author of this verse could now tell us. As could his father, King David. “Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

Backsliding begins in the heart. It can take a while to work its way out from the heart to our public lives. By the time it becomes visible, it’s been going on for a long time.

Backsliding has warning signs. These include shortening, rushing, or missing private devotions; making excuses not to go to church; viewing immoral movies, shows, websites, and social media; and growing depression and anxiety.

Backsliding is chastised with more backsliding. As with sliding on snow, we know how to start spiritual sliding, but we don’t know how to stop it. We think we can slide and then stop, but when we choose to slide, God may chastise us with more sliding. Better to never slide at all.

Sliding is easy to start but hard to stop.

What’s the best way to prevent backsliding? Forward progress.

Forward Fuels Forward (14:14)

“A good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways” (14:14).

Forward momentum can be regained. How? “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first” (Rev. 2:5). Go back to where you began. Be encouraged by how King David and King Solomon regained their direction and movement. No matter how far you’ve slidden, remember God’s great promise: “I will heal their backsliding; . . . For My anger has turned from them” (Hos. 14:4 NKJV).

Forward momentum is rewarding. Just as backsliding produces backsliding, so forward progress produces forward progress. Each forward step is rewarded with an additional forward step. It’s almost like a “buy one, get one free” offer. Just as backsliding can accelerate, so can spiritual growth. It has a compounding effect. The more we grasp the grace of the gospel, the more we will want to read the Bible, the more we will want to worship with our families, the more we will want to hear sermons, worship together, and pray together. By God’s grace, take a step forward and see what momentum can be generated.

Movement is hard to start and hard to stop.

Changing Our Story with God’s Story

No matter how far you have fallen, see Christ’s pitying eye upon you, and hear him sending his grace to you as he did with Peter (Mark 16:7; Luke 22:61). Then begin to step forward by grace and see how he can still use you mightily as he did with Peter (John 21:15–19, 1 and 2 Pet.).

Summary: How does God motivate us to avoid backsliding and advance forward? Step forward instead of sliding backward to accelerate spiritual growth.

Question: Do you know someone who has backslidden? How will you use this message to reverse the slide?

Prayer: Lord, heal my backsliding and love me freely by stopping my slide, turning me around, and accelerating me forward.