Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to Tuesday Talks With Titus!  Today, we will discuss what it means to backslide spiritually, how we can help others if they're backsliding, and how we can protect ourselves so we can keep growing in Christ and not backslide.

First, what is backsliding? According to gotquestions.org, "the word backslide, in a Christian context, implies movement away from Christ rather than toward Him. A backslider is someone who is going the wrong way, spiritually. He is regressing rather than progressing. The backslider had at one time demonstrated a commitment to Christ or maintained a certain standard of behavior, but has since reverted to old ways." 

When I first thought of backsliding, my mind immediately went to Mario Kart. In Mario Kart, when you go the wrong way during a race, a character from the game will eventually pick you up and turn you to face the right way so you can win the race. I wanted to start things off by talking about how to help a friend who may be headed in the wrong direction spiritually (one who is backsliding.)

It can be challenging to help people who are going the wrong way spiritually. Because, when you begin to do things that you know are wrong, you like to justify what you are doing,  especially when it's wrong. Then, when people point out the problem, even if it's done in love, we see it as hate. 

Let's see how we can best help our brothers and sisters who may be backsliding.  According to Galatians 6:1 "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”  The first thing I want to point out is that we should help restore them gently.

I know it can be tempting to think you have every right to yell, tear down, and be angry when you see that your friend is backsliding, especially if their sin is obvious in Scripture. But that is never the way to do it. I've seen SO much hate and anger from people who claim to have the love of God in them, but we should not let our anger get the best of us. Especially, if our friends have come to us for help.

(At this point, there will be a video in the YouTube version of this. (Linked Below) You are welcome to check it out! (It includes fire!!!)) 

As we continue, I would like to say, for all who are listening, the words I am speaking are not meant to be words of hate or anger at anyone who is struggling but rather love and compassion. Listen, any Christian can backslide including me. Why? Because humans sin and the journey of faith is not easy…in fact it is described as a battle!

I would say that I have less love for you if I don’t say anything about the things you are doing.  If I just watched you go the wrong way and ignored the dangers that lie ahead, it would be unhealthy for your walk. Think about it like a highway. If there are no signs giving you direction or people telling you that you are going the wrong way, it will end badly. 

Sometimes, backsliding is invisible to those around you. There are “secrets” that are on the mind or just unknown by even family and friends.  That’s why it’s essential to ask for help as soon as possible,  even if you're afraid of how someone’s going to react. Let’s look at James 5:16: “Therefore, confess Your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Brothers and Sisters, I will always encourage promote you to have an accountability partner who cares about you unconditionally and can ask the hard questions. Life is hard! It will throw sinful things and temptations at you and when you don’t have someone to come alongside you to help you fight against those temptations or sins, it will become a bigger problem. 

Most people in their journey of faith don't go out looking for trouble or committing “big” sins.  It's often one small step off the path and then ever so slowly continuing off that path until they find themselves in “big” trouble.  An accountability partner is a great thing for this and so much more too! When you have an accountability partner,  it can help both of you remember to do your daily devotions, make Godly decisions, get out of a pit (backsliding), and many other things. If you don’t have an accountability partner, look for one that is: 

1# Biblically solid (Someone who has a good general knowledge of the Bible and is committed to it without compromise.) 

2# Trustworthy (Someone who can keep it confidential and not give to gossip.) 

3# Available (Ready to be there for you when you need them or at least return your call or text as soon as possible!)

Even in my short (Linked below) that I posted promoting this episode, I saw one comment stating: “Salvation isn't permanent. Faith and Works.”  Is this a matter of opinion or is this truth? Not to throw shade on the one who posted the comment, but it really doesn’t matter what their opinion is or mine.

We must turn to Scripture to find answers to the issue and then submit ourselves to that Authority. Keeping on topic, the question is are those who backslide saved? John 10:28-29 Says, “And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (Check out the book of 1 John…remember that is written to believers…but has excellent answers to what happens when Christians sin, and how to get back on track. )

When we are saved, no one can take us out of God’s hands! Not Sin, Not an Idol, Not another person, Not even Satan! Yes, we sin and sometimes backslide, but not even that can take us from God. Sometimes we think that we could get away from God, but here’s the good news, if we have genuinely received God's plan for salvation, repented and are living by the Spirit’s control, we can’t! God has that much love for you! Even though we are sinners, God sent His son to pay the debt of our sin and its consequences fine! It would have been just for God to leave us in our sins, but He is faithful to forgive us for our sins! (1 John 1:9) Stop thinking you can do something to make God not love you anymore!  (Check out the story of the prodigal in Luke 15:11-32, it's a great illustration of this truth). He forgave you in the past tense, He's forgiving you in the present tense, and in the ultimate tense, You are forgiven!

If you haven't accepted this forgiveness, it doesn’t matter how far off the path you've stayed—backslid, Please don’t wait. God will forgive you no matter what you’ve done, and he will get you on the right path!

If l can help you in any way, or pray for you on your journey of faith,  you can email me at Tuesdaytalkswithtitus@gmail.com. Also, if you've never begun your relationship with Jesus by salvation or you have questions about what it means and how to have that relationship, feel free to email me as well. 

Thank you so much for reading! Remember to check out the podcast version of this and the Video (Linked below)! We’ll see you next time on Tuesday Talks With Titus!