SYMPTOMS OF BACKSLIDING


Scripture: Luke 21: 25-31


Topic: Symptoms of Backsliding

 

“ And there shall be signs…..when ye see these things…..KNOW

Luke 21: 25-31

 

In the field of medicine, a symptom or sign is the outward clue of something dangerous. Often when you are searching for something that is hidden, you look out for the clues to lead you. Symptoms and signs help doctors to make the right diagnosis. 

 

A symptom is meaningless to the unlearned, but important to the learned. If a symptom is detected early it can save a life. When a doctor detects certain signs, he knows that the patient’s life is in danger. But a layman may have no idea of what is going on. 

 

When a hand of a patient shows certain signs, it is an indication of a serious disease in the liver. What has the hand got to do with the liver? They are so far apart anyway. But it may surprise you to know that a shaking and jerking hand could indicate liver failure. To the unlearned, that shaking hand is just an unusual spasm. Some may even think that it is a sign of the anointing! The pancreas is located somewhere deep in the abdomen. How can you know whether the pancreas is working or not? The only way is to look out for certain symptoms and signs. 

 

I once noticed a middle-aged person drinking a lot of water and passing a lot of urine. this person was fat and overweight. As a medical doctor I immediately thought, “Perhaps this person is diabetic and doesn’t even know it. There may be something wrong with his pancreas” It was an important sign to me.  

 

As scientists search for signs to know what is going on inside the BODY of a man, we must also look for the signs that uncover what is happening inside the SOUL of a man. 

 

The early detection of some of these symptoms can save a believer from backsliding and going to hell. Knowledge of the existence of these symptoms can give you staying power for the Christian race. 

 

There is no point in regularly attending church, knowing the Lord, and later dying as a backslider. Why should I spend all my years preaching and later become a castaway? Why do the Lord’s work today, and serve the devil tomorrow? 

 

This is a picture of what happened to the five foolish virgins (Mathew 25). They were all virgins, all ten of them, but five were foolish and five were wise. All of them had oil up to a certain point in time. Later on, when it really mattered some of them didn’t have oil. Perhaps the year before they were all zealous and anointed with oil. But at the end of it all, some of them had dropped away. 

 

These signs and symptoms are important to learn because many Christians display these symptoms. If you detect any of these symptoms in yourself, know that you may be on a dangerous path to destruction. 

 

Common signs include: 

 

1.     Bad Company 

“ Bad company ruins good morals “.

1 Corinthians 15: 33

 

2.     Looking backwards

 

“Escape for thy life, LOOK NOT BEHIND THEE ….lest thou be consumed. “.

Genesis 19: 17

 

3.     Over- Confidence

 

“Let him that THINKETH HE STANDETH take heed lest he fall“.

1 Corinthians 10: 12

4.     Stubbornness

 

“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways …. “

Proverbs 14:14

 

 

5.     Christian surprises

 

“As long as ye do well,and are not afraid with many AMAZEMENT”.

 

1 Peter 3: 6

6.     To be easily offended



Precious child of God, are you at risk of backsliding? 



Credits: Excerpts from 

Backsliding 

Bishop Dag Heward-Mills


 

Comments

  1. Renson mamadi16 February 2022 at 03:21

    Thank you heavenly father for the wonderful word.. i refuse the spirit of backslinding in Jesus name. .Holy spirit enable me to go further and further in my ministy without backslinding and without being forced.. to do it willing from my heart and not being forced to in Jesus Christ Amen

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elvina omalla16 February 2022 at 03:32

    Amen lord help me not be like the foolish virgins,let me be found ready with my oil in Jesus name,

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown16 February 2022 at 04:35

    I receive the wisdom and the grace to be watchful of any slight change that threatens my walk with God

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beryl16 February 2022 at 05:37

    Lord help me to remain vigilant and attentive to my spiritual state and give me the humility of heart to accept and deal with any symptom of coldness. May I never look back and become a castaway.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Clinton Ogechi16 February 2022 at 06:12

    Oh Lord may I never lean on my own understanding.But fully depend on you,and never look back to my former life

    ReplyDelete
  6. Joan Bundi16 February 2022 at 07:11

    The foolish virgins came alright, but were not prepared for the 11th hour. Having followed all the way, they still did not enter the feast. May I not be like the 5 foolish virgins.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown16 February 2022 at 07:36

    Amen dear Lord guide me so that I can't be like others I want to stay with you

    ReplyDelete

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