The Backslide happens in numerous levels. But it never comes fast. It’s a tiny thing that starts working in our soul…the constant everyday battle against the the devil whi is always tryin to gain ground in our hearts. (Ephesians 6:12). Once we give in just a little, the backslide begins. It starts groin in our heart like a mold…a cancer. Little by little. Many times at the point we give in, we realize it, but our heart whispers “it’s ok”…”not a big deal”…(Jeremiah 17:9)…And we go on like it’s all ok…’cause it looks ok…But it’s not.
Maybe it’s like descending a staircase. The more steps you take down, the more prone you are to take another one. You’re gonna keep going down until something stops you, or you reach the bottom. Like I said, it happens to us all…If you’re not held fast to Jesus, there will be little holding you back from sliding down the hill. But there is what I call the boulders on the hill. It’s what you crash into on your way down. It’s what you will hit if you have laid you life in Jesus’ hands. Then we realize…we wake up. We’ve been going the opposite way!
The boulder comes in many “shapes and sizes” . It can be the soft voice in the back of your mind. Or it can be a serious physical experience. Boulders can be your parents…a song…a sermon…a passage in the Bible…a close call. Whatever form it comes in, it is ultimately God, who is rich in mercy and loves us more than anything could. (Psalm 37:26). And He will put us through whatever we need to go thru to wake up! When we wake up, we have a choice to make. What do we do when we rouse from a spiritual sleep and we realize the path we swore was goin up was just leading down? Suppose you’re on a trial, goin South, towards North Town. Five miles down the way, it dawns on you that North Town is the opposite way. Ok…easy…simply turn around, right? Ha..Yeah, easy.
I have learned that a Backslide can turn into a very positive thing: if you turn around and head back up. The staircase you built on your way up is now torn and crumbled due to your slide. Hello. It’s time to rebuild and you have the chance of a lifetime to build it batter and stronger this time, so it goes higher…and then you can reach down and help others on their way up. But how? Again, it’s hard! Cry out to Jesus! Decide you will get back. And you will!
We all know the Bible passage “all things are possible with God”. Don’t take it lightly. I know you’ve heard it everywhere from everyone…and it gets old! But if we cry out to God, He will hear us. Help will come. (Pslam40 & Psalm 18). Slowly you will realize it was not mere coincidence and mistake that you slippd. God was there…watching. In His sovereignty He knew that experience was the one thing that you needed to get closer to Him. That’s the whole point of these experiences. He want us to listen. React…and get closer to God.
When we find ourselves in Backslide situations sometimes God seems so far. Yeah, like the man in the moon. But He is is close by. Praise God, He not only speaks, but He speaks through other people too! God puts those people in our lives in key moments…they know what to say, and when. They have your back. And no matter where you find yourself they are there by your side cheering you on, up the hill.If you don’t have that someone, pray. He will answer prayer. (John 15:7).
Well, now you find yourself turned around, ready to start climbing again. You may ask yourself: Can this happen again? Yes it can. “how can I prevent it?” …”How can I get higher so I can reach down to others who are on the backslide?” Amen…let’s go for it!
Most important thing is to stay close to God. How?...Pray. Prayer is a HUGE thing. (john 15:7, Psalm 55:16-18, Rom 12:12, Eph 16:18) and then, read God’s Word (hence those refrences!). You will get closer to God and He will get closer to you. The mnore you talk to God the more you can hear his voice. The more you read His Word as a road map for life, the sooner you will realize you’ve taken the wrong turn. He will speak to you.
One of the most awesome promise in the Bible is found in Jesus’ words, in John 14:23.
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word; and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
What better thing to have on our journey then the Love of the Father and Son and his presence ever in our lives, making a home within our soul?
Yeah. We all Backslide. But we all can get up.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works off darkness, and let us put on the armor of light….For no one lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.For if we live, we live to to Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s….(Rom13:12. 14:7-8) -NKJV-
This is really good - thanks for posting!!
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