THE CONSEQUENCES OF BACKSLIDING IN YOUR HEART

 

TEXT: Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. 

INTRO: A woman once told a preacher that she could never be a Baptist because we do not believe in backsliding. He said, “Ma’am, we don’t only believe it, we also practice it.

I do not believe that a person that is saved can lose their salvation. There are numerous verses that substantiate the fact that if you are saved you are saved for time and eternity. I do believe that you can backslide. As matter of fact, the Baptist probably believe more in backsliding than any other religion.

 

I believe salvation is an all the heart decision.

I do not believe a person reading his Bible just because someone is making him read it is nearly as close to God as one not reading his Bible but has a desire to do it.

I think that our desires are very important.

 

I think that a person is backslidden when their desires have been pulled away from God.

 

I think that the Christian who stays home and watches television on a church night is backslidden on God.

 

I believe that a Christian who does not have an appetite for the Word of God is backslidden.

 

I believe that a Christian who does not want fellowship with other Christians is backslidden on God.

 

I think that the Christian who is backslidden will go through some very rough times on this earth before he or she goes to Heaven.

 

I believe that a backslidden Christian will be chastised by God.

God will not disown one of His children, but He will spank one of His own.

 

For the next few moments, I want to expose some things that the backsliders heart will be filled with:

 

1. THE BACKSLIDER IN HEART WILL BE FILLED WITH HIS OWN MISTAKES

 

1. He Is Not Walking with God.
2. You must either walk with God or not walk with God.
3. You cannot be half in and half out.

           

ILLUSTRATION: POWER FOR PERFORMANCE    

 

Man not only needs to know the precepts of God's Word, but he must have a power within his life that will enable him to practice what he has perceived with his mind. 

 

Ludwig Nommensen, a pioneer missionary, stressed this vital truth in his ministry to the Batak tribesmen of Southeast Asia.  When this servant of the Lord arrived at his field of labor, a village chief gave him only 2 years to learn the customs of the people and to convince them that he had a message worth hearing. At the end of that period, he was asked how the Christian religion differed in its moral rules from the traditions of the Batak.  "We know what is right," said the tribal leader, "for we too have laws that say we must not steal, or take our neighbors' wives, or tell lies."

"That's true," the missionary answered quietly, "but my Master supplies the power needed to keep these laws." The chief was startled.  "Can you really teach my people to live better?" he inquired.  "No, I can't, but if they receive Jesus Christ, God will give them the strength to do what's right."  Being permitted to remain another six months, Nommensen preached the Gospel and taught the villagers how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers. At the end of that time, the chief said, "You may stay longer.  Your religion is better than ours, for your God walks with men and gives them strength to do the good things He requires."

 

1. He Is Not Led by The Spirit
2. You must allow the Spirit to lead you.
3. You will be led by God's Holy Spirit, or you will be led by the other spirit.
4. The backslider is not allowing God to lead him.
5. He Is Walking In Spiritual Darkness
6. Even though the backslider is saved he is walking in darkness.
7. He is not allowing the light to shine through.

 

1. THE BACKSLIDER IN HEART WILL BE FILLED WITH HIS OWN WORDS

 

While in a backslidden condition he cannot control his tongue. It will prove itself to be an unruly member.

 

James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 

 

Words have a long-lasting meaning to people. Once you have said something, you cannot take it back. You need to put your mind in the right gear before the tongue goes into overdrive.

 

ILLUSTRATION: THE POWER OF THE TONGUE                   

Leonard Greenway, commenting on the tongue, wrote, “There is an ancient fable about a monster known as Proteus who had the power of assuming many shapes and appearances.  He could become a tree or a pebble, a lion or a dove, a serpent, or a lamb. He seemed to have little difficulty in passing from one form into another. That fabled creature reminds me of the human tongue.  It can bless or curse; it can express praise or whisper slander; it can speak a word of encouragement or spread the poison of vindictive hatred."

 

III.  THE BACKSLIDER IN HEART WILL BE FULL OF HIS OWN CARES

 

1. Selfishness Will Overtake the Backslider
2. He has turned back to selfishness.
3. He counts himself and his possessions as his very own.
4. He tries to manage everything for himself.
5. He tries to manage all things by his own wisdom.
6. He tries to manage everything for his own sake.

 

1. He Will Be Concerned About Himself and His Own Needs.
2. Pray for me and my four and no more.
3. Concerned for no one except self.

 

Illustration:  Dog with bone crossing the log.  The dog looked down and saw another dog in the water and grabbed for the bigger bone that the dog in the reflection had and lost the bone that he had.  We all know that was the reflection. The dog was greedy and lost what he had.

 

1. THE BACKSLIDER IN HEART WILL BE FILLED WITH HIS OWN LUSTS

 

Appetites and lusts that have been kept under control has now resumed its hunger.

Having been kept down for so long, they seem to avenge themselves.

They become more demanding.

They become more unruly than ever before.

 

1. THE BACKSLIDER IN HEART WILL BE FULL OF HIS OWN TROUBLES

 

Instead of keeping out of trouble, he will run into it.

He is not at peace with God.

He is not at peace with other people.

He is not at peace with himself.

He is not at peace with the church.

He is not at peace with the world.

He is constantly complaining.

He has taking everything out of the hands of God.

He no longer has faith in God.

He is no longer able to control events in his life.

He has to be filled with worry about the future.

His folly in forsaking God, is the ruin of this person.

 

CONCLUSION:

1. A backslider in heart is a burden to everyone around him.
2. He may continue to go about the motions of being a Christian.
3. Go to church 2. Sing in the choir.
4. Drive a bus. 4. Teach a Sunday School class.

A backslider in heart has only one direction to go. The only way is back to Jesus.

Are you a backslider in heart? If so, come back to Jesus right now.