Backslide


(Prov 14:14 NASB) The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his.rs


This morning we continue our series, Here Solomon continues to contrast the way the Father desires for us to live with ways that are displeasing to Him as he talks to us about the backslider. The Hebrew word used for backslider here is a word that means: to turn back, to go away from, and to depart, especially from God. This word was commonly used to describe anyone or any group of people that had a relationship with Jehovah, that walked with Him, understood His precepts, walked in His ways, and submitted themselves to His law, but then (for whatever reason) turned away.

As a nation Israel had turned away from God several times. If you read the book of Judges you will see how national leadership directly affected the nation. When a righteous ruler was in place the Israel prospered, because they applied God's teaching and they sought to walk in His ways. But when an unrighteous ruler was in place the nation was left without God's protection and Israel suffered for it every time.

This was Solomon's point of reference as he penned these words. He was national leader. He was the righteous ruler. He was sitting on the throne over Israel and he knew that there would be repercussions to walking away from God's law. So Solomon took the lesson of national backsliding and he applied to the individual. He explained that even an individual backslider will reap whatever he sows.

Even as the state of the nation was affected by national policy, the state of the individual will be affected by the decisions he/she makes.

If a person who has walked with God and enjoyed His fellowship decides to willingly walk away from Him, Solomon's words will ring true in their lives; they will have their "fill" of their own ways. If they choose to attempt to live without God, then they are sitting on the throne of their own lives. They become a god to themselves. They attempt to do their own will, not God's, and since it's their will, then it will be their bill.

Meaning that since they are making all the decisions, then they will have to attempt to bring to pass all their efforts on their own. Believe me, I have seen this time and time again, human ability and effort alone is way too limited.

So what does this mean to you? Several things:

1. You can walk away from God, but you don't want to: Many backsliders who have come back to God, only to testify of how hard it was to attempt to live without Him. If your life is all about your will, then it will be your bill. But if you life is all about His will, then it will be His bill. His vision, His provision! Your vision, your provision.

2. If you do walk away, know that He still loves you and loving awaits your return: The Father will never leave you, nor forsake you (Heb 13:5). While He will not overlook sin, He will also never stop loving you. He draws backsliders back with His love.

3. Your life is no longer your own (1st Cor 6:19): You have been bought with a price and that price was the Blood of Jesus. To walk away from Him is to dishonor and disrespect all that Jesus did on the cross for YOU!

4. There is no retirement plan: Once you become a Christian, then you are to be one forever. This is not something you decide to do for 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. Settle the issue in your heart that you are committed to God forever. Don't leave any door open to the enemy, because he will try to get to you take vacations from your walk with God. No vacations, no retirement, you are called to walk with the Father ALL the days of your life! And believe me, it's worth it!

Father, I thank You for Jesus this morning. I thank You for sending Your Son to die in my stead. I thank You for the Blood that cleansed me from all sin. I know I have been bought with a price. I know I am covered by the Blood of Jesus and anointed by the Holy Spirit. I know I am a child of the Most High God and I will NEVER walk away from You. I will never break fellowship with You. I know You are committed to me and I declare, right now, by faith, that I am committed to You - all the days of my life! In Jesus' name. Amen!