A backslider is a person who turned gradually from the faith and practice of Christianity. The Bible teaches that the root of backsliding is always in the heart (Proverbs 14:4.) This means that the actions that we do are merely a reflection of what is in our hearts.
Even inside the church, some people listen to the Word of God, but their hearts are backslidden because they continuously reject the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Jeremiah is preaching to the southern kingdom of Judah and using the backslidden state of Israel to encourage Judah to get right with God. They can hear what Jeremiah is saying, but would they abandon their backsliding and get right with God?
The representation of a backslider
The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
Jeremiah 3:6
The representation that is given to a backslider is that of a harlot. No one wants to be called a harlot. But that is the picture Jeremiah uses to illustrate Israel’s backsliding. Throughout Jeremiah chapter 3, you will see the words harlot, adultery, and whoredom. What’s the relationship between backsliding and the adultery of Israel?
2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:2-3
God took them out of Egypt, and instead of loving and serving Him, they worshipped false gods. This gives you an idea of how God feels about the backsliding of Israel. God loved them, but they decided to worship other gods (James 4:4.)
God saved us, and we are supposed to love, serve and worship Him only. But we have committed spiritual adultery by worshiping false gods. Many have turned from God and worshipped Mamon.
Mamon is a false god who promises money, material things, fame, and everything you desire in exchange for worship. This is none other than the devil since he used the same temptations on the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:24.)
The results of backsliding
The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
Jeremiah 3:6
Though backsliding is rooted in the heart, it becomes evident in actions sooner or later. Our actions are the result of what was in our hearts. The state of backsliding is manifested in how we treat God.
Disobedience to the Word of God
Israel was commanded to love God with all exclusivity, but they disobeyed the greatest commandment. As a result, it was easy for them to break every other commandment (Matthew 22:37-40.)
No one can follow the Word of God altogether. But a backslidden Christian deliberately disobeys the Word of God. For instance, they know it’s right to be faithful in Bible reading. However, they neglect the Bible and have no desire to learn it.
Despising the worship of God.
Many instances in the Old Testament that both the people and the priest have neglected the temple. This is a result of their disobedience to the Word of God. One evidence of backsliding is the lack of desire to worship God with the church.
There are work schedules that conflict with our services. But the Bible also commands us not to forsake church attendance (Hebrews 10:25.) There are unavoidable circumstances that might restrict you from coming to church, but there are those whose manner is to forsake the church services. This reveals that worshipping God is no longer a priority but an option.
Declining worth for God.
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Proverbs 3:9
We honor God by giving our best offerings. One evidence of Israel’s backsliding is their refusal to give their tithes and offerings to God. In Malachi, the people were tired of waiting for the blessings of God. However, it was revealed by the prophet that God was not blessing them because they were not giving what belonged to God.
If there’s something that people withhold from God, it’s their money. They are willing to give everything else but not their money. They would publicly say they are eager to give all to God but can’t even give 10% (Tithe.) This reveals that some Christians value money more than God.
Demeaning the work of God.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15
It’s not evil to serve the Lord, but others look at it as a burden. Joshua would not have said it if it wasn’t true. This is also the thinking people have toward the work of God.
They think going to church, soul-winning, tithing, praying, and everything about God wastes time. If that’s your thinking, you have a backslidden heart.
The request to the backslider
Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Jeremiah 3:12
The Lord requests the backslider to get right with Him. Why is God still willing to take back Israel despite their backsliding? The answer is because of His mercy.
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
Micah 7:18
God is holy, and because of this, he must punish sin. But more than punishing sin, God delights in a person humbly asking for God’s mercy. Mercy, love, and grace are the basis of our salvation, and it’s also why God allows us to return from our backsliding.
We consider Peter one of our favorites in the Bible simply because we can all relate to him. At one point in our life, we have been a backslider like Peter. He denied the Lord Jesus Christ and went back to his old life. But later on, he was preaching on the day of Pentecost and Solomon’s porch. Peter shows us that even when we are backslidden, we can still be used by God and bless other believers if we turn back and get right with Him.
The recompense for the backslider
Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Jeremiah 3:12
Yes, there is a request for backsliders to return, but there is also recompense for backsliders who resist because there are those who resist the mercy of God.
5Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. 6I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.
Jeremiah 8:5-6
Because they disobeyed the Word of God, despised the worship of God, their declining worth for God, and decreasing work for God. And would not even consider returning. God destroyed all of them.
Jeremiah was preaching to the southern kingdom of Judah, using the example of the northern kingdom of Israel to warn them of God’s judgment. However, they also refused to get right with God.
And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 3:10
Judah had seen the sins, the backsliding, and the destruction of Israel. But instead of getting right with God, they continued in their backsliding. As a result, they were similarly destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. If you have in any way backslidden in your Christian life, it’s time to get right with God.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
Proverbs 26:2
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