SYMPTOMS OF BACKSLIDING: A POOR QUALITY CONSCIENCE

 Scripture: 1 Timothy 1: 19-20  

“Holding faith, and A GOOD CONSCIENCE; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

1 Timothy 19-20

A person who does not have a good conscience is a potential backslider.

The conscience is the voice of that better component of a human being (whether Christian or non-Christian). It is the conscience of a man that tries to keep him from doing evil. It is important to have a good and strong conscience (inner voice). You can either have a strong conscience or a weak one.

Paul, the great Apostle, said he had a good conscience. He also revealed that he had always maintained a good conscience, even as an unbeliever. I dare say that some unbelievers have better consciences than some Christians.

When our consciences become hardened, it is difficult for God to speak to us. I have always tried to have a good conscience because I know the danger of a hardened conscience. It is this conscience which pricks me every day and keeps me from backsliding. When the conscience is gone, that element within you that can stop the backsliding process is also gone. You are no longer touched by the anointing, by the Word of God, by the preaching, or by the Holy Ghost.

Your conscience is like the palm of your hand. Some of us have soft hands, whilst others have callous ones. Your hands will become hardened, and the softness will go away as you do hard work with your hands. In the same way, your conscience will become hardened as you continue to sin without repenting.

When believers become indifferent to the promptings of God it is a dangerous sign.

 

Credits: Excerpts from

Backsliding: Develop staying power

Bishop Dag Heward-Mills