Lesson 5: Backsliding In Ministry

A. WHEN YOU BACKSLIDE

1. Backsliders stop walking in the Spirit. “Let us walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). “The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 16:14). “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways” (Proverbs 14:14).

How to Walk in the Spirit

- Learn how to walk from the Bible.

- Seek to constantly walk and please God.

- Yield to the Spirit’s direction and enablement.

2. Backsliders try to appropriate spiritual power from a godly believer. “David would take a harp and play it . . . then Saul would be refreshed” (1 Samuel 16:23).

3. Backsliders shrink from the spiritual responsibilities. Goliath said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day, give me a man that we may fight” (1 Samuel 17:10).

King Saul should lead Israel into battle.

King Saul was head and shoulders taller.

4. Backsliders recognize the power of God, even when they don’t have it. Saul sent a teen, David, who had God’s power to do his job.

5. Backsliders will sacrifice their family. “The king . . . will give his daughter” (1 Samuel 17:25).

6. Backsliders will pay others to do their job. “The king will enrich with great riches . . . will give his father’s house exemption from taxes” (1 Samuel 17:25).

7. Backsliders burden down God’s people with tools, methods, and “helpful” programs. “Saul clothed David with his armor” (1 Samuel 17:38).

8. Backsliders are jealous when more credit is given to others than to self. “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. Then Saul was very angry” (1 Samuel 18:7-8).

9. Backsliders hang on to responsibility when they don’t deserve it. “Now what more can he have but the kingdom” (1 Samuel 17:8)?

10. When backsliders are not filled with the Holy Spirit, they are overcome with an evil spirit; jealousy, anger, retaliation, etc. “On the next day, the distressing spirit . . . came upon Saul” (1 Samuel 18:10). “When the unclean spirit is gone out of the man . . . he saith I will return from where I came . . . he taketh seven of the spirits more wicked than himself . . . the last state of the man is worse than the first” (Matthew 12:43-45).

11. Back sliders feel they have to watch their back, because they think someone is out to get them. “Saul eyed David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 18:9).

12. Backsliders often try to hurt those walking in the Spirit. “Saul cast a spear, for he said, I will pin David to the wall” (1 Samuel 18:11).

13. Backsliders separate from godly people and are afraid of them. “When Saul saw David . . . he was afraid of him” (1 Samuel 18:15).

14. Backsliders try to get rid of people who walk with God. “The Lord was with him (David) and was departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 18:12). “Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 18:25).

B. ANALYSIS OF BACKSLIDING

A. Two classes of backsliding.

1. True believers, i.e., these are prodigal sons.

2. Professing believers, i.e., these were never saved in the first place.

Steps Away From God

- Neglect fellowship with God.

- Neglect personal responsibilities, Bible and prayer.

- Neglect watching thoughts, attitudes, and words.

- Neglect outward, church, fellowship, and singing.

- Become like the world.

- Open sin.

C. TEN CAUSES OF BACKSLIDING

1. Covetousness, Lot lusted and lost.

2. Yearning for world, Lot’s wife looked back and lost.

3. Love of gold, Achan lied and lost.

4. Sexual impurity, Samson lusted and lost.

5. Intimidated by people, Peter denied and lost.

6. Disobedience, Saul disobeyed God.

7. Selfishness, “The backslider . . . filled with his own ways” (Proverbs 14:19).

8. “Pride goeth before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18).

9. “Love of money is a root of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

10. Power and position, Diotrephes destroyed himself and others.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.