“THE backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways.” Prov. 14:14. The Scriptures recognize the fact that men are liable to, and do, backslide from God and a love of his truth.
Backsliding is turning from God, is leaving our first love, departing from the simplicity of the gospel. This sin, though frequently scarcely perceptible at first, often ripens into open rebellion against God, and an entire apostasy from the faith. It leads to self-deception, and if persisted in, it will certainly end in utter destruction.
“Because ye are turned away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not be with you.”Nub. 14:43 “Thou hast forsaken me, saith the Lord, thou art gone backward; therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee.” Jer. 15:6
Now if we would escape the guilt and ultimate consequences of backsliding, we should study our tendencies to backsliding and guard well the inclinations to a departure from the principles of the religion of the Bible. We should learn the weak points of our nature and watch them unto prayer. Let us then notice a few points where we are liable to stumble and fall away.
1. We may fall by losing our faith in the present truth, which is fitting up a people to stand when the Lord shall come. We must keep in memory the truths of the third angel’s message. We must love, cherish, and practice those truths by which we were brought into freedom and sweet peace. “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. Many fall and become liable to the temptations of the devil by neglecting secret prayer. If but seldom they come to this fort for strength and courage in the warfare, they are weak. Secret prayer is to the Christian pilgrim what sunshine and showers of rain are to vegetation.
3. A neglect of family prayer leaves the family professing godliness feeble and an easy prey to the enemy. God designed that this duty, if performed in the love of it, should be a source of the greatest blessing to the family circle.
4. Watchfulness is a duty everywhere enjoined upon the child of God. And especially is it enjoined upon us as the coming of the Saviour draws nigh.
“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. “But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” 1Pet. 4:7 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Col. 4:2
If the, spirit of watchfulness, sobriety, and prayer here required, be maintained, there will be no room for vanity of heart, or lightness of the mind, nor for jesting and joking, and “foolish talking,” sins so prominent with many professors of religion in these last days—sins, detrimental to the development of a Christian character.
We are sorry to record that some professed commandment-keepers seem at home when in company with the ungodly and thoughtless, giving themselves up to jesting and joking, to mirth and frivolity; yea, some go even farther, and indulge in very low, foul, and filthy conversation. ‘How dare men do so with such Scriptures blazing before them as Eph. 4:29; 5:3, 4 ? Please read them, my brother.
Says the wise man, “Fools make a mock at sin; but among the righteous there is favor.” Prov. 14:9 And again, “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.” Prov. 14 7. The tongue is an index of the heart. Isa. 32:6 ; Matt. 12:35. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Prov. 18 : 21.
5. We must note, as one cause of backsliding, an improper use of time. There are murderers of time, precious time, as there are murderers of men. More than eighteen hundred years ago, an apostle wrote, “But this I say, brethren, The time is short.” 1Cor. 7:29
If the spirit of inspiration led this man of God to regard time short then, and to give instructions as to its value, how should we, who live in the closing moments of time, value it ? One brother long connected with this work in sacrifices, sufferings, and unceasing efforts to advance the cause of God, speaks of moments in value as the “finest gold.”
If we set a proper estimate upon our time and influence, how we can afford precious hours and days to attend the annual round of shows and caravans, or ever be seen at a circus, I cannot understand. Yet professed Sabbath-keepers are found at such places. And I have known some women professing faith in the near coming of the Lord, to well-nigh work their strength and life away out of doors, to help on the work that they might be taken to shows which it is a shame for us to countenance by our presence.
Others find time to witness horse-races, foot-races, wrestling matches, etc. Do these brethren pray for God’s blessing upon them before going to such places? And do they pray while there, and return to their homes refreshed in spirit, and nearer to God and Heaven than when they went?
A writer in the New York Witness, in a recent article, says, “The politicians of England adjourned the House of Parliament to attend a horse-race. That is a descent from the sublime to the ridiculous—from the dignified to the undignified.”
What, I wonder, would the same writer say of the course of one acting in a similar manner who hopes for, and talks of soon receiving, “the crown of glory that fadeth not away?” 1Pet. 5:4 It seems to me that this waste of time and means and scattering of our influence is not in keeping with the present work of the last church of God. It is not in harmony with the prayer, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Ps. 90:12.
We might here call attention to precious hours, days, and weeks, wasted by some living in villages, in sitting around in stores, hotels and shops, where they never count on accomplishing anything more than to “pass away time.” Sonic seem like fixtures in these places. I appeal to my God-fearing brethren, Are these things right ?
6. If we would avoid backsliding, we must be choice of our associations, and of the relations we form, especially those formed for life. Time spent as spoken of necessarily brings one into evil associations. They go not there for missionary labor,—not to save precious souls, but to gratify idle curiosity, to feast the eyes on vanities.
There is a power in association. The mighty of earth in Church and State have been swayed by it. It has perverted their judgment and warped their decision in important matters. The companionship and association of the righteous have saved multitudes from wretchedness and woe here, and from the pangs of the second death, hereafter.
Yet many do not well, consider these things. Especially are the young in great danger here. Led on by impulse, false hopes, and fair promises from the unconverted, the young Sabbath-keeper connects his or her life-long interests with one who may prove a living and constant impediment to the enjoyment of religion. Repentance then, which comes “too early and too late,” avails nothing. A little sound and safe counsel from men and women of sanctified judgment would, if followed, avail more than
when too late. On the formation of these relations the apostle’s voice is, “Only in the Lord.” 1Cor. 7:39
Dear brethren and sisters, have we backslidden from the Lord ? He kindly counsels us, “Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.” Jer. 3:22 “I will heal their backslidings, I will love them freely.” Hos. 14:4 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent.” Rev. 3:19 And again the soul-inspiring promise is, “Thou wilt keep him
trusteth in thee.” Isa. 26:3. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul; we may have peace in God and growth in grace. A. S. Hutchins.
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald July 6, 1876