So what is a backslider?
A backslider is a person who willfully walks away from God. They have become self-centered and on an ongoing basis have made wrong choices, walked in continual sin, and stopped getting fellowship with other Christians. They keep rejecting the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They still know God is the answer, but want to do their own thing. They may call themselves a Christian, but those around them wonder if they really are a Christian. A person can go to church, but still be in a backlidden condition.

How does a person become a backslider?
1. To reject the wise counsel of friends, parents, and the Bible.

2. To associate with the wrong kind of friends.

3. Stop reading the Bible and praying.

4. When they stumble into sin, they do not quickly repent.

5. When the Holy Spirit brings conviction they ignore it.

6. They get enticed by the "good feelings" of walking in sin

7. They have allowed bad habits, personality traits, and behaviors to take over their life and allowed them to become sinful actions.

Is there hope for a backslider?
Absolutely! At anytime a person can choose to no longer be a backslider. However, it is a choice only they can make. You cannot force a person to not be a backslider.

The following are the steps to turning back to God. Luke 15:12-32

1. Acknowledge that you are a backslider.
Luke 15:12-17 And He said, "A certain man had two sons; [12] and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' And he divided his wealth between them. [13] "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. [14] "Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need. [15] "And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. "And he was longing to fill his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. [17] "But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!
Unless a person is willing to be humble enough to call themselves a backslider, they will not receive deliverance.

2. Confess to God and someone else that you are a backslider and that you want to get right with God.
Luke 15:18-21 'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; [19] "I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men." [21] "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' ' [22] "But the father said to his slaves...
The son did not only think about confessing to his father, but he actually humbly went to his father and confessed his sin. And he did this in front of the slaves. So confess to our Heavenly Father and to at least one other person. Confession conquers pride which can keep a person from repentance.

3. Receive the forgiveness of God.
Luke 15:22-24 "But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; [23] and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; [24] for this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' And they began to be merry.
Fully receive God's mercy and grace. Do not try to earn it back. It is a free gift. Openly receive His love. Let His love and forgiveness overflow you with tears of joy. Revel in it. Go to church and praise God with words of praise and joy. There is no need for a pity party-You are forgiven. You have the righteousness of Christ. You are clean.

2 Cor. 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;

Micah 7:19
He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities under foot.
Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins
Into the depths of the sea.

4. Don't worry about what others may think or if they will forgive you.
Luke 15: 25-28 "Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] "And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things might be. [27] "And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' [28] "But he became angry, and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began entreating him.
There will always be those who don't like the fact that God forgives so freely. The reality is that because of their sinful heart, they themselves may be in a backslidden condition. Don't let the opinion of others rob you of the blessing of God.

5. Don't listen to the attacks of the enemy.
When the devil and his cohorts remind you of your past sins and that you were a backslider, just remind him of his future and press on. Don't dwell on the sins of the past. However, do be humble unless you fall all over again.

6. Find an accountability partner
Find someone that you can share your struggles with. Someone that you trust and will listen to. Give them permission to confront you when it appears that you are starting to go down the same road you did before you backslid.

Here is the story of the prodigal son.

Luke 15:11-32

And He said, "A certain man had two sons; [12] and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' And he divided his wealth between them. [13] "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. [14] "Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need. [15] "And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] "And he was longing to fill his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. [17] "But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! [18] 'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; [19] "I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men." ' [20] "And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him. [21] "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] "But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; [23] and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; [24] for this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' And they began to be merry. [25] "Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] "And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things might be. [27] "And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' [28] "But he became angry, and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began entreating him. [29] "But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you, and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a kid, that I might be merry with my friends; [30] but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with harlots, you killed the fattened calf for him.' [31] "And he said to him, 'My child, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. [32] 'But we had to be merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.' "

Copyright @ 2001 Richard D. Dover. All rights reserved.
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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations used are from the New American Standard Version (NAS)