Seven Causes of Backsliding
One of the great joys of working in Christchurch Baldock has been to see people who have come to put their faith in the Lord Jesus and then to see them go on to become ‘keen’ Christians. Perhaps the greatest disappointment is to see some who ‘started well’ but now hardly seem to be ‘in the race’ at all. This article describes seven causes of backsliding or forsaking ‘your first love’ (Revelation 2:4).
1. Shallow conviction of sin results in very little real repentance
At the time of the Wesleyan Revival, that began in the 1730s and continued till the early 1800s, people were often under deep conviction of sin for several months before they experienced the almost intoxicating joy of forgiveness. This meant that their turning from sin was decisive. Sometimes this realisation comes straight after people turn to Christ but in many of us this dawns later. Certainly there needs to be a time when both our heads and hearts realise the awful sinfulness of sin. And how appalling our rebellion against God has been.
Luke tells us of a sinful woman who wept in the presence of Jesus and anointed his feet with perfume. The host, who was a Pharisee, objected but Jesus told the woman,
“Your sins are forgiven” Luke 7:48
The religious Pharisee had not seen how far he had fallen away from God whereas the woman did. Jesus explained,
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47
There is a direct link between the realisation of our sin and our love for our Saviour.
2. Feeble devotional life
It is frightening how we can give an outward impression of being keen Christians by attending meetings regularly and saying the right things while, like the seed sown on rocky ground, there are no deep roots and subsequently there is a superficiality in our spiritual life. There are times, such as when a person is under great pressure that it is very difficult to make time to read my Bible and pray but too often this is a matter of choosing our priorities. Often the television and hobbies can become more important than staying in close touch with Jesus by being alone with our Lord and meditating on his word to us. Christians who have not learned to feed on the word of God themselves will always remain spiritually malnourished and consequently enfeebled in their service of him. Having a regular system, such as using ‘Explore’ Bible study notes can be a great aid.
“Backsliding generally begins with a lack of private prayer,” was the conclusion of Bishop J.C.Ryle
3. Little real commitment to the Christian Fellowship
In the New Testament a commitment to Christ meant a real involvement with the local apostolic church. This was a church where the teachings of the apostles about Jesus and the gospel were closely followed in both the teaching and practice. There always have been those who are dabblers in church rather than being deeply committed to serving through the church. The writer to the Hebrews warned us:
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another . . .” Hebrews 10:25
We should all regularly attend and join in with local Christians to encourage others as well as to be encouraged. Meeting up with the Christians should be a priority over meeting up on the golf course or watching a football match.
Most Christians find that it is in the house group or smaller bible Study that they get the most help so again this should become a priority.
When people move jobs or houses those who make it a priority to find a thriving gospel centred church are the people who will remain closest in their walk with and service for God.
4. Wrong teaching in our early days
Any sailor will tell you that if you begin a journey just half a degree off course then it won’t be long before you are miles off course. It is vital that the foundations of our walk with God are well and truly laid. The foundation of the church is the teaching of the apostles (Revelation 21:14). I have several old friends who became involved in exuberant outgoing churches but that failed to teach the bible well. Unfortunately some of these have now backslid from their walk with the Lord Jesus. The work of the University and Colleges Christian Fellowship and associated bodies and churches do a great work in establishing good teaching in a young Christian’s early adult life.
An ideal is for every new christian to be mentored by an older Christian regularly and for them to study the Bible together in one to one sessions.
5. Marriage or a relationship with an unhelpful partner
My mother repeatedly told me, ‘Only marry someone who is more spiritual than you are.’ All too often a marriage to a non-Christian or a luke-warm nominal Christian results in the whole family later drifting from Christ. There will inevitably be conflicts over the use of money, time, using the home for Christ and different values for the children. Every Christian has been ordained to live wholeheartedly for Christ and the Bible repeatedly warns us that our relationships can either inhibit or encourage this priority. (See https://www.bvpalmer.com/marriage-and-sex/should-a-christian-marry-a-non-christian )
6. No involvement in Christian service
God chose us to be Christians in order that we should all live for him and represent him in this world. It is always very alarming when someone who calls themselves a Christian is, in effect, a passenger, a spectator. There are many activities a christian can become involved in such as teaching the bible to youngsters. There is no better way to get to know the Bible well than to teach it regularly.
An elderly schoolmaster was asked ‘What keeps you keen?’ He replied ‘regular camps’. For myself I am so grateful to the Titus Trust Christian camps I was sent to as a lad. This was where I not only heard the gospel but later as a young leader was taught how to share Christ. This was reinforced by involvement in teaching through the Christian Union small groups at my university and medical college.
Possibly the most important lesson to learn is that Jesus has called us to go out into his world to bear fruit for him by witnessing to him by word and action. Jesus was very critical of religious people who did not bear any fruit for him. Shortly after the miraculous withering of a fig tree because it had no fruit (Matthew 21:18-22) Jesus told the parable of the tenants who ran the vineyard for their own benefit and not for its master or his son:
“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:43
Involvement in personal evangelism inevitably keeps us praying and dependant on God. It means you are constantly thinking of new ways to talk about Jesus, to invite people to hear about him and sharing literature to help people think about what really matters in life. This is one of the articles I try to always carry with me to give to those I get chatting with. https://www.bvpalmer.com/why-should-i-be-a-christian/mistakes-minor-major-and-catastrophic?rq=mistakes
If we are to be effective in what we say for Jesus our lifestyle must match our words. Again Jesus warned us to beware the religious who may even share God’s words with others but not not live accordingly:
“So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” Matthew 23:3
How we live matters to God. The avenues for Christian service are endless and there is no retirement from service for Jesus. He will only take us home to be with him when there is nothing left for us to do for him in this world.
7. A secret idol
When a person drifts away from Christ it usually becomes clear that there is a counter attraction that is more important than the Lord Jesus. These may not be wrong in themselves – sports, music, money, reputation, career, family, success, travel, academic success and even friends – these can all usurp the position that he alone should hold in our lives. This is why we need to be accountable to one or two close friends who will keep reminding us of our priorities.
St Paul had no fear of losing his salvation but he did dread the possibility of being put on the shelf as regards being effective for the Lord Jesus. Whatever situation we find ourselves we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and then we can find ways to live for him.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
We must all beware that our priority never focusses on ourselves, on my reputation and my happiness but we must all ensure that living with and for the Lord Jesus remains our priority in life.
‘O and O’
D.L. Moody, the renowned 19th-century evangelist, used the phrase “O and O” to mean “Out and Out” for Jesus, signifying a complete, wholehearted commitment to faith. Moody’s question, “Is he O and O?” was his way of asking if someone was fully dedicated to Christ—not partially, but entirely, with nothing held back.
In Moody’s ministry and teachings, he frequently emphasized the importance of being “all in” for one’s faith, meaning that a believer should be fully committed, with no reservations or half-heartedness. This concept was central to his call for Christians to live lives marked by visible, active devotion and to be completely transformed by their relationship with Jesus.
This phrase, “O and O,” reflects his desire for Christians to exhibit a total dedication to their faith, and it became a memorable slogan that challenged people to examine the depth and sincerity of their commitment.
This article is based on an article of the same title in the book ‘Dear Friends’. This book consists of selected letters sent to members of Emmanuel Church Wimbledon by their pastor.
