THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BACKSLIDING

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23

Topic: The Psychology of backsliding

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”

Proverbs 4: 23

The psychology of backsliding deals with the way backsliders think. It deals with the attitudes of a defecting Christian. You see, the bible says we should guard our hearts with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”

Proverbs 4: 23

Backsliding is one of the issues of life. The issue of backsliding comes from the heart. A thought in the heart becomes an attitude. An attitude becomes an action. And these actions become behavior patterns.

Let us look at the attitudes that form in the heart of a backslider. It is these attitudes that give him false confidence in his backslidden state.

·       Attitude 1- “ I’m not alone, others are backsliding too”

   I have noticed that one of the things we do, is to find out who else is in a condition similar to ours. And when we get involved in something we also try to take others with us (like drowning men). But the Bible says.

“…….every man shall bear his OWN burden.”

Galatians 6:5

You may take confidence in the fact that others seem to be also doing badly as you are. But that is a false assurance. Do not look at the crowd. You are born alone, and you will die alone. You will stand before God as an individual. Never forget that fact of life.

·       Attitude 2- “I have a lot of time, Christ is not really coming soon.”
 

The world is truly amused when we say that Christ is coming soon. They think it is a theory cooked up by some deranged people.

On the other hand, some Christians know that Christ’s second coming is a reality. But they think that it won’t happen very soon. At least, not in their lifetime. They suppose they can enjoy themselves and forget about the future. But what they forget is that Christ’s coming will be a very unexpected event.

“… the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”

1 Thessalonians 5: 2-3

Many have taken God’s grace period of repentance for granted. Indeed, this grace means nothing to some of us. The grace period has rather become more time to play the “fool”. This is how backsliders think. I have more time! I have much more time!!!

·       Attitude 3- “ There are shortcuts to everything, including going to Heaven”

The world is under the delusion that there are shortcuts to everything. Unfortunately, some Christians think in the same way. They assume that there must be some shortcut to heaven since there seems to be a shortcut to almost everything.

You cannot escape the Christian rudiments and go to Heaven. You cannot escape the cross. Jesus said, “Take up thy cross and follow me.” There is no shortcut around the cross. You must take it up.

You cannot avoid the reality of fasting, praying, fellowshipping, and witnessing. These are the Biblical standards we just cannot avoid!

·       Attitude 4- “ God loves too much to punish me”

I have heard Christians say that God will never punish them. They quote, “For God so loved the world…”
They argue that since God loves the World so much He will not destroy them. They say, “I know God will forgive me.” Because of this, they add sin to sin without batting an eyelid.

God’s nature is like two sides of a coin. One side of the coin shows the head, and the other side shows the tail. One side of God’s character shows His great love, and the other side shows His judgment.

Think about all the wicked sins you have committed, but still receive His forgiveness. At a certain point, the Spirit of the Lord will not strive with man anymore. God has to judge you, otherwise, there will be chaos in the Kingdom.

“The king by judgment establisheth the land…”

Proverbs 29:4

God loves you so much that He will punish you when He has to.

·       Attitude 5- “I have more time, I’m not going to die soon.”

People think that because they are young they still have a lot of time. Also they think they have enough of their lives ahead of them to sort things out with God.

It is not safe to assume that there is more time. The bible warns us that because we don’t know the day or the hour Christ will come, we must be ready all the time. The word is preparation and readiness.

“…. Thus will I do unto thee…because I will do this unto thee…PREPARE to meet thy God…”

Amos 4: 12

Dear Christian friend, do not put off your godly obligations because you think you are still young and there is more time. You never know when God will summon you to account for your life.
 
Credits: Excerpts from
Backsliding: Develop your staying power
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills