Are You Becoming A Backslider?

ARE YOU BECOMING A BACKSLIDER?

In this outline we list a few of the many things that can hinder our spiritual growth and put us on the road to sliding back away from the Lord, His Will and Purpose for our lives. The Lord wants up to live in victory, being an over comer and to bring Glory to Him. We must be on guard and be faithful. If a disciple like Peter could lose out, we either have to be much stronger in Lord than He or we must avoid the pitfalls that he fell into. We want to grow not dry out in the Lord.

- 2 Peter 2:20-22 (KJV) For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

1. In 2 Peter 2:20-22, we read of the real possibility and serious cost of backsliding.

2. It is interesting that we find this passage coming from the writings of Peter.

a. For if anyone knew about dangers of backsliding, it was Peter!

b. He learned this the night he denied Jesus!

3. The process of backsliding is a gradual one, often overtaking a person by surprise; we need to be on guard.

a. Let us examine what led to Peter’s denial and backsliding.

b. Then let us see how Peter’s told us in his epistles to prevent the same from happening to us!

I. WHAT TAKES PLACE IN THE LIFE OF A BACKSLIDER!

A. PRIDE

- Mark 14:27-31 (KJV) 27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

1. Peter boasts and claims he will not fall away or deny Christ!

2. Peter takes the first step in backsliding:

"Pride"! - Proverbs 16:18 (KJV) Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

3. Why is this the "first" step?

- Matthew 18:3-4 (KJV) 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

a. If we lose "humility", we take that first step backward

4. Paul’s advice to the Corinthians is very important in this

Regard - 1 Corinthians 10:11 (KJV) Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

B. LAZINESS

- Mark 14:38 (KJV) Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

1. We are told to keep watch, Peter kept falling asleep.

2. It was therefore a lack of diligent preparation, which caused him to be caught off guard for what was to follow.

3. The same thing can happen to us!

a. Without diligence, we too can be found unprepared.

- Luke 21:34-36 (KJV) 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

b. More often than not, it is a "gradual drifting" that

catches us off guard. Hebrews 2:1-3 (KJV) 1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;