Backsliding is when a born-again believer in Christ turns back to sin or becomes stubborn in his heart and refuses to submit to the will of God in his life. The outward actions are only symptoms of the real problem -- the attitude of the heart -- which must be dealt with in order to change the actions.

Backsliding is like carnality in that your own desires and devices are acted out as opposed to God's will (I Corinthians 3:3; Proverbs 14:14).

What Scripture Says

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
(Revelation 2:4,5).

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)

"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7:25)

"When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you."
(Luke 15:17,.18)

"...let him turn to the Lord...for he will freely pardon."
(Isaiah 55:7)

"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely...."
(Hosea 14:4)

Does God Condemn Backsliders?

God does not condemn us -- our own wickedness and backsliding do that (Jeremiah 2:19). Nor did Jesus come to do so, but to give us life abundantly (John 10:10). Therefore, if you will confess your sins, God will forgive you (I John 1:9).

Accept His forgiveness and then forgive yourself. Forgive those who have wronged you. Go to anyone you have wronged or resented and ask their forgiveness. Make restitution in whatever ways you can for any wrongs your backsliding has caused.

If you are not baptized with the Holy Spirit, ask for and receive it (Luke 11:13). Then grow in Jesus and the way of the Lord. The Holy Spirit gives a Christian the ability to overcome sin. He gives power to be a Christ-like person. He guides, comforts, teaches spiritual truth and equips with the gifts and qualities of God (Acts 1:8; John 14:16; I Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:22,23).

Pray this prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to you in Jesus name, and I confess that I have fallen away from you. I ask you to forgive me and to restore to me the joy of my salvation. I forgive those who have sinned against me, and I ask you to give me the grace to walk in forgiveness every day. I invite you to be Lord over every area of my life. Baptize me in your Holy Spirit, and give me the power to live my life in obedience to your will. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen

If you prayed that prayer to rededicate your life to Jesus Christ, please send us an e-mail to let us know. Or you can call our National Counseling Center at (800) 759-0700. We would love to talk with you and send you some literature to help you begin your walk with the Lord.

Living In The Truth

Now you know the truth and the truth has set you free. Now you are a son or daughter of God, part of his family. God is your Father now and Christians all over the world are your brothers and sisters. Don't waste a minute getting to know your family, especially your Father. Talk to him constantly. To learn more about prayer, read the CBN Teaching Sheet entitled, Answered Prayer. You can also send us your prayer requests from our Prayer and Counseling page.

Read His Book

The Bible is the main way God has chosen to tell us about Himself. Learning what God says in the Bible is a very important part of your new life. As you read His Word, ask God to show you how various passages apply to your life. A good place to start your study is in the Gospel of John in the New Testament. Find an easy to read, modern translation like the New International Version, the New American Standard or The Book.

Become a regular member of a good church and join a Bible study or a home fellowship group. Make friends with other Christians and spend time with them. As brothers and sisters in Christ you need their fellowship and they need yours. God will lead you to them and to a church that follows Him. For help in finding a church, read the CBN Teaching Sheet entitled, Choosing A Church.

Our hope for you is that you will grow in the Lord Jesus Christ in the same way the Apostle prayed that first century believers would grow:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. (Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 1: Verses 17-19)

All this is possible for you; in fact, it's your Father's gift to you - now that you know and have believed the truth.

Read these Bible verses:

II Chronicles 30:9 Grace assured at repentance
Psalms 32:1; 145:14 Blessed and upheld in the Lord
Isaiah 43:18,19; 44:22 Old things are gone, the new redeems
John 3:17 No condemnation in Jesus Read these scriptures daily and memorize them for assurance of victory.