Dear Curious,

That is a question a lot of people want to ask, but do not. We hear talk among Christian circles, “Oh, I think he’s backsliding,” or “I’m sure she’s going to backslide if she doesn’t get her focus back on Jesus.” Backsliding means to go back, to retreat, turn away. Proverbs 14:14 puts it clearly: The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above. So, backsliders are Christians who allow themselves to be filled with their own ways, or who choose to live for something, someone, or self, more than they want to live for Christ. 

All through the Bible, we read how God’s people wandered from the things of God and became backsliders, so this is nothing new! My people are bent on backsliding from Me.

Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him. (Hosea 11:7) It truly is easy to start sliding away from our first love of Jesus. The secret to NOT backslide or slip away from the boldness and fervency we had for the Lord when first saved is to stay in prayer and in our only manual for success, the Bible. Stay full of His Word and keep claiming His promises to us. Look to the One who is eager to help us 24/7. That will keep us going forward, not backward. When the people of God did look to the Lord, He brought them back to Himself.

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him. (Hosea 14:4)