Backsliding is a Hard Life

Magnifying the Holy Ghost Getting enough of God’s people together magnifies the Holy Ghost. This magnification goes straight to God. God will be looking at it for you. Backsliders and the Hard Life The message is about backsliders and how bad it can get. It’s not an easy life if you backslide on God and then come back to Him. 2 Peter 2:20-22 is referenced. “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.” “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.” “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.” It’s better not to have known God than to know Him and turn away. Pollution of the World The pollution of the world is a key concept. Specific examples of pollution from the Bible: Taking a wife to her sister to vex her. Uncovering nakedness during uncleanness. Lying carnally with a neighbor’s wife. Passing seed through the fire to Malak. Profaning God’s name. Lying with mankind as with womankind (homosexuality). Lying with any beast. Women standing before a beast to lie down. These things defile the nations that God cast out. Backsliding: Stomping on the Cross Backsliding is like stomping on the cross and Christ’s sacrifice. It means you don’t care about the blood-stained banner. It ultimately comes down to temptation. Results of Backsliding Self-Absorption The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways. They think whatever they do is right and everyone else is wrong. They look at people like they can “burn a hole through them.” They are miserable because they willingly went back into bondage. Religious Indifference Iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold. They become cold towards God. They start to disbelieve in God. Playing in the devil’s playground leads to being taken home by the devil. Personal Example of Backsliding Mother backslid for 42 years. She blamed someone else for her backsliding. She was told to take the accuser’s hand and go to the altar, but she didn’t. This goes on in a lot of churches. Confession and Repentance Backsliders need to confess their sins and ask for repentance. They may be hiding things like drinking or engaging in the “pollution of the world.” God knows everything, even if family doesn’t. God is waiting for them to come back, confess, and repent. Self-Absorption and Its Consequences Backsliders think what they’re doing is okay, but it’s not. God will bring them back one way or another. His son is not going to be mocked. Jesus made a way of escape for a better life. The Devil’s Playground The devil’s playground is a place of killing, stealing, and destroying. He gets creatures in his playground by tempting them. The devil never bothered Brother Bobby until after he got saved. The devil uses family members and tells lies to cause division. God doesn’t teach division or lies. The devil tries to take what you have away from God by tempting you with something shiny. Divine Displeasure Hebrews 10:38 is referenced. “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” God will draw back from you if you draw back from Him. It’s terrible to go to bed not knowing if you’ll wake up. God may take someone you love away from you. Example: David pleading with God for his child’s life. Backsliders are not yielding to temptation. The devil uses friends, coworkers, or new acquaintances to draw you away from God. Personal Integrity and Accountability If Brother Bobby lets the devil drag him back into his playground, no one will believe him. God will take his ministry away. People will remember his past sins and not trust him. The devil grabs you by the nose and makes you “root around” in the wrong things. You should be rooting around in the Bible and praying. Loss of Spiritual Enthusiasm Revelations 2:4 is referenced. “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” It’s sad when a truly saved person gets out of the way from God. God will draw back from you. God in Schools and Government This country has run God out of everything. Most people have run God out of their houses, schools, and governments. If you don’t invite God, He won’t show up. We need to make God feel wanted. We can’t do anything without Him. The Devil’s Power The devil has no power over you except what you let him have. He doesn’t own you; he’s just trying to destroy you. If he could shut up every preacher truly called by God, he would. Adultery and Temptation People think the grass is greener on the other side and commit adultery. Matthew says you’re not supposed to divorce one to be with another. 1 Kings 11:1, 4 is referenced. King Solomon loved many strange women, who turned his heart away from God. It’s hard to understand why people step out on their spouses. Finding the Right Partner Brother Bobby prayed for seven years for a woman who loved God as much as he did. He dated several women, but didn’t feel anything until he met his wife. The first thing they talked about was God and their testimonies. He gave her a little kiss to see if it was right. He asked God to let it be if she was the one. He didn’t care what she looked like or where she was from, as long as she loved God. God sent him a gift. He wouldn’t ruin that gift by straying around. Vows to God When you make a vow to God, He holds it very seriously. Brother Bobby vowed to live for God. He’s not going to get out here and do foolishness. He did foolishness for 38 years and didn’t get anywhere. Since he’s been saved, God has accomplished things through him. Fighting Until the End Once you’ve had the taste of the goodness of God, why would you walk away? Brother Bobby is going to fight until God takes his last breath. The devil can torment you, but God has the last say. To be God’s doesn’t mean getting back into the pollution of the world. God’s people are peculiar people. Brother Bobby is going to live for God and do the best he can. God’s Provision and Guidance Brother Bobby can’t read well or remember every verse, but God puts it to him when it’s time. His God is a big God who doesn’t fit in his back pocket. He knows who feeds him, calls him, supports him, bats him, and caresses him. When he does wrong, he asks for forgiveness and tries again. Staying Close to God Don’t walk away from God once you’ve had a taste of Him. Brother Bobby’s mother came back to God after 42 years and made sure she got things right before she died. God gets Brother Bobby up for work every day, even though his body is wearing out. God gave him the desires of his heart. Don’t walk away from God; stay as close to Him as you can get. The Woman with the Blood Issue The story of the woman with the blood issue is referenced. She fought through the crowd to touch Jesus and was made whole. Jesus didn’t kick her under the pew.