When someone strays from their faith, the Bible calls them a backslider. Scripture is filled with messages of hope and restoration for those who have fallen away, reminding us that God’s grace is always available to bring us back.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About surrogacy
What Does The Bible Say About backsliders
Hebrews 10:38
“But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”
This verse cautions against the act of backsliding, emphasizing the importance of living by faith. It reveals that God is not pleased when someone turns away from their faith and retreats. It reminds us to stay steadfast and committed to our walk with God.
In my own life, I have witnessed the consequences of backsliding. It is a gradual drifting away from God’s presence and the joy that comes with being in His will. This verse serves as a reminder to continuously rely on faith and not allow doubt or worldly distractions to cause us to shrink back.
Proverbs 14:14
“The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.”
This verse highlights that those who turn away from their faith will face consequences for their actions. Backsliding is a choice that can lead to negative outcomes, while remaining faithful to God brings rewards and blessings.
I have seen the faithfulness of God in my own life and the lives of others. When we choose to remain steadfast in our faith, even in challenging times, we experience the goodness and faithfulness of God. This verse serves as a reminder that choosing to backslide has consequences, but remaining faithful reaps rewards both in this life and for eternity.
2 Peter 2:20-22
“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.’”
This passage strongly warns against backsliding, emphasizing the dire consequences it brings. It states that those who turn away from their faith and become entangled in worldly corruption are in a worse state than before they knew Christ. In fact, it suggests that it would have been better for them to have never known the way of righteousness.
This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of backsliding. It illustrates the sad reality that some individuals who have tasted the goodness of God and experienced His grace can still choose to turn away. It highlights the need for perseverance and being rooted in Christ to prevent becoming entangled in the world’s allurements.
Jeremiah 3:22
“Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.”
This verse offers hope and encouragement for those who have backslidden. It shows God’s unfailing love and willingness to restore and heal those who have turned away from Him. God extends an invitation to repentance and promises to cure them of their backsliding.
In my own life, I have experienced the restorative power of God’s love and forgiveness. When I have strayed from His path, He has always been there, ready to receive me back with open arms. This verse reminds us that no matter how far we may have fallen, God is waiting to bring us back into a loving relationship with Him.
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.”
This verse addresses the role of fellow believers in the restoration of backsliders. It encourages a gentle approach in helping those who have strayed, while also cautioning against being tempted ourselves.
In my own journey, I have been both the one in need of restoration and the one offering support to those who have fallen away. This verse reminds us of the importance of a loving and compassionate approach when helping others return to their faith. We must remember that we too are vulnerable and need the support and guidance of fellow believers.
Proverbs 24:16
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”
This verse highlights the resilience of the righteous and their ability to rise again, even after falling multiple times. It contrasts with the fate of the wicked, who falter and stumble when faced with adversity.
Throughout my own spiritual journey, I have experienced seasons of stumbling and failures. This verse brings comfort and encouragement, reminding me that a righteous person may fall, but they do not stay down. It speaks of the grace and strength we find in God to rise again, learn from our mistakes, and continue our journey of faith.
James 5:19-20
“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
This passage emphasizes the importance of bringing back those who have wandered from the truth. It highlights the impact of such an act, saving a person from spiritual death and covering a multitude of sins.
I have seen the power of restoration in action, witnessing individuals who have strayed return to their faith and experience transformation. This verse reminds us of our responsibility to reach out to those who have backslidden and guide them back to the truth, offering them the opportunity for forgiveness and restoration.
Proverbs 1:32
“For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.”
This verse warns of the dangers of waywardness and complacency. It highlights that choosing to turn away from the truth and becoming complacent in our faith leads to destruction.
In my own life, I have witnessed individuals who have become complacent in their faith, neglecting spiritual growth and becoming vulnerable to the world’s influence. This verse serves as a reminder to guard against complacency and to continually seek after God’s truth, as it is essential for our spiritual well-being.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse assures us of God’s faithfulness and willingness to forgive when we confess our sins. It reminds us that no matter how far we have backslidden, repentance and confession lead to purification and restoration in God’s sight.
Personally, I have experienced the liberating power of God’s forgiveness when I have humbly confessed my sins and asked for His cleansing. This verse declares the grace and mercy available to all who seek forgiveness and restoration, reminding us that there is always hope for reconciliation with our Heavenly Father.
Psalm 51:12
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
This verse is a heartfelt plea for restoration and renewal in the midst of backsliding. It expresses the desire to regain the joy of God’s salvation and the need for a willing spirit to sustain the believer.
In my own life, I have experienced the pain of losing the joy and zeal that comes from a vibrant relationship with God. This verse echoes the cry of my heart, yearning for restoration and a renewed spirit. It serves as a prayer and a reminder that in God’s presence, joy is restored, and strength is renewed.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
This verse offers hope and restoration to a nation or community that has backslidden. It emphasizes the need for humility, prayer, repentance, and seeking God’s face for forgiveness and healing.
I have seen the power of national and communal revival when individuals humble themselves, repent, and pray for their land. This verse serves as a reminder that even when a whole community or nation has turned away from God, there is still hope for restoration and healing through genuine repentance and seeking after God.
Psalm 119:176
“I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.”
This verse depicts the humble acknowledgment of straying and the cry for God’s intervention. It reveals the longing for God to seek and restore the one who has wandered away from His commands.
Personally, I have found solace and encouragement in this verse during times of spiritual wandering. It reminds me that even when I have gone astray, God is ready to seek me out and lead me back onto His path. It gives me the assurance that He will not abandon me, and it stirs within me a desire to return to Him.
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
This verse calls for repentance and turning back to God. It assures that when we do so, our sins are forgiven, and we experience times of refreshing from the Lord.
Through my own experience, I have tasted the refreshing and renewal that comes from genuine repentance and a renewed commitment to follow God wholeheartedly. This verse serves as a reminder that by turning away from our backsliding and seeking God, we can find forgiveness, renewal, and a deep sense of spiritual refreshment.
Luke 15:4-7
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
This parable illustrates the heart of God for those who have gone astray. It portrays the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to seek and find the one that was lost, leading to great joy and celebration when it is restored.
I find great comfort and hope in this parable, knowing that God passionately pursues those who have backslidden. It encourages me to have the same heart of compassion and joy when someone returns to their faith, recognizing the immense value God places on each person and the rejoicing that takes place in heaven at their homecoming.
Ezekiel 18:21-23
“But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteousness they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?”
This passage emphasizes the compassionate nature of God towards those who have turned away from their wickedness and returned to Him. It declares that when someone repents and lives according to God’s commands, they will be forgiven and restored to life.
I have witnessed the transformative power of God’s forgiveness and restoration in the lives of individuals who have repented and turned back to Him. This verse reveals the heart of God, who takes pleasure in the repentance and redemption of the wicked. It assures us that no matter how far we may have fallen, God is eagerly waiting for our return and longs to extend His forgiveness and love.
Isaiah 59:2
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
This verse acknowledges that sin and iniquity create a separation between us and God. It reveals that our sins can hinder our communication and communion with Him.
In my own life, I have experienced the consequences of allowing sin to create distance in my relationship with God. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of confessing and turning away from sin, seeking restoration and reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. It prompts me to examine my heart and actions, ensuring there is nothing hindering my intimacy with God.
Lamentations 5:21
“Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old.”
This verse expresses a heartfelt plea for restoration and renewal. It acknowledges our need for God to intervene and bring us back to Himself, reviving our spirits and restoring the days of joy and closeness we once experienced.
In my own journey with God, I have experienced seasons of dryness and distance. This verse echoes the cry of my heart during those times, longing for God to renew and restore my relationship with Him. It serves as a prayer, expressing our deep desire to be brought back to a vibrant and intimate connection with our Heavenly Father.
Ezekiel 33:11
“Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’”
This verse reflects the compassionate nature of God, who takes no pleasure in the downfall of the wicked but desires their repentance and turning from their evil ways, so they may live.
Personally, I am reminded of the gracious character of God, who extends His mercy and forgiveness to all who turn back to Him. This verse emphasizes the urgency of repentance and the offer of life that God extends, even to the most wayward souls. It encourages us to turn from our own sinful ways and seek His forgiveness and restoration.
Matthew 3:8
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of genuine repentance that is evident through a transformed life. It calls for a change in actions and behavior as a result of turning away from sin.
In my own walk with God, I have learned that true repentance goes beyond mere words but is demonstrated through a changed lifestyle and producing good fruit. This verse challenges me to examine my own life and ensure that my actions align with my profession of faith, displaying the fruit of repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:10
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
This verse distinguishes between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. It highlights that genuine repentance, born out of godly sorrow, leads to salvation and freedom from regrets. In contrast, worldly sorrow leads to spiritual death.
Personally, I have experienced both godly sorrow that has led to transformation and worldly sorrow that brought no lasting change. This verse reminds me of the importance of examining the motives behind my repentance and seeking God’s grace to enable genuine transformation. It encourages us to embrace godly sorrow that leads to salvation and a life free from regret.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
“Do not quench the Spirit.”
This verse serves as a warning against stifling or suppressing the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It reminds us to stay open and responsive to the leading and convicting power of the Spirit.
In my own experience, I have found that when I backslide, it often involves ignoring or resisting the promptings of the Holy Spirit. This verse reminds me of the need to continually yield to the Spirit’s guidance, allowing Him to convict, correct, and lead me back to a place of obedience and intimacy with God.
2 Timothy 2:13
“if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
This verse conveys the unchanging faithfulness of God, even in the face of our faithlessness. It assures us that God’s character remains constant, and He will always remain true to His promises.
Personally, I have found great comfort in this verse during times of spiritual weakness or backsliding. It reminds me that God’s faithfulness does not depend on my faithfulness, but on His unchanging nature. It encourages me to turn back to Him and trust in His faithfulness to restore and renew my relationship with Him.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
This passage speaks of the resilience and strength we have in Christ, even in the midst of trials and challenges. It acknowledges the hardships we may face as believers but highlights that we are not abandoned or destroyed by them.
Throughout my own journey of faith, I have encountered various struggles and obstacles. This passage is a source of immense encouragement, reminding me that no matter how difficult the circumstances may be or how far I may have backslidden, God’s grace and power sustains me. It instills hope and the confidence that, in Christ, I can overcome and rise above any adversity.