Your Turn: "Mistakes Backsliders Make"

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Okay, folks... I'm doing something I don't guess I've ever done before. I'm generally VERY meticulate about my messages whether they be preaching or teaching. I've been moved in my spirit several times in the past and now intend to teach on my Sunday Morning Services for a while on this subject: "Mistakes Backsliders Make"

I've never done it before but I'm going to put it out here and let some of you help me preach for the next few weeks. Here's the general layout:

• I do believe it's possible to backslide and be lost.
• I've seen people backslide from the beginning of my walk with God.
• I've noticed that some come back in and do fine but many - perhaps even the majority - never quite make it after coming back to God.

I'm not interested in making this a standards debate (yes, I preach spiritual disciplines to my people) and I'm not interested in debating the essentials of the New Birth (I believe in repentance, water baptism in Jesus Name and receiving the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues). What I'm looking for are the observations that YOU have made as to why some backsliders never quite 'make it back' spiritually.

Okay... here's the list of what I'm looking at just to give you a pattern to follow:

MISTAKES BACKSLIDERS MAKE...

1. You can't 'ease' back into the Church. (Most backsliders know too much to do it halfheartedly)

2. You can't expect to feel like you did the first time. (Just as a 'first kiss' doesn't always feel like a 'first kiss' you can be assured that once you know God intimately some things won't exactly feel like they used to... you operate on knowledge and relationship instead of infatuation and response.)

3. Trying to maintain 'carnal' loyalties generally doens't work. (Living for God means sometimes separating from certain carnal influences that drag you back down.)

4. It's a mistake to just 'seek to be saved' instead of striving to find fulfillment in God. (Spiritual 'fire escapes' never quite have the foundation that a solid relationship with God produces.)


YOUR TURN... some of you who have backslidden and came back sucessfully should have some great answers!

I haven't read all the thread...but my first intial response reading this is...

My take may be a bit different...but my thought was..are you trying to keep backsliders out?? It seems to be directed more at discouraging them from trying to come back...

I know that is not your intent...

I was thinking I was going to read about why backsliders think they can't come back to Church vs. why they shouldn't??

I will read more of the thread but this was just my first thoughts..

[AmazingGrace]

Originally Posted by Ron

A major mistake for backsliders (and everybody else for that matter) is thinking that repentance is only for conversion.

Repentance is a gift to be used when needed.

Also, altars aren't just for rank sinners.

That part always got to me. I always felt like if I went to the altar that everyone was watching and saying oh here she goes again!

Originally Posted by Ron

Backsliders don't forgive themselves.

You bring up a subject that was soundly addressed, and refuted, at our district ladies' conference, by none other Sister Lynda Allison Doty. Can you find any place in the Bible that speaks of an individual forgiving himself? Go ahead and look, but it ain't there. The only forgiveness spoken of in the Bible is of God's forgiveness to us of our sins, and our forgiveness to others for their trespasses against us. To tell somebody he must 'forgive himself' is actually saying he has to 'save himself'. This is not possible. The real issue is that people struggle with accepting God's forgiveness and leaving their past in the past.

[meBNme]

Originally Posted by NightOwl

I have still yet to feel like I have made it back to where I was........I am wondering if it were possible to get back

It won't ever be "just like it was" because you are not who you were then.
BUT you can overcome.
Really, you wouldnt WANT it to be like it was then, because then, you fell. Now, you have experiences, and knowledge that you can turn into determination and you can be stronger than you ever were.

Stop trying to "get back" to the way it was, and let God meke you like HE wants you to be, and that will be even BETTER than "the way you were"

This...... I also know from personal experience.



Which reminds me of another mistake backsliders make.

Focusing on what they did, what they were, when they were backsliden.
(Everytime the enemy tries to remind you of that backslidden time of your life, litterally, plead the blood of Jesus, shove the negative memories back where they came from, and start thanking God for changing you and taking you out of that backslidden state. Use each attack of bad memories to make you more determined to never live like that again. Overcome, through the power of your testimony. So you fell, you backslid, BUT GOD brought you up again! Revel in that victory, and use it to move forward!)

[PastorD]

I tend to work what I call 'positive conviction' if at all possible, but.....

Backslidders, if have been in from childhood, usually have heard and believe that God will never let them go too far. I am a believer in grace pulling you back time and again, but there is a such thing as too far. The Bible says-sin, when "IT" is finished.

I guess to sum that up in a point backslidders make the mistake of thinking they are in control of when and where they return. Watch out for the "IT"!

[revrandy]

I've often encouraged backsliders to find another church to come back to...

God forgets and forgives.. Many times church people won't... and having to carry that many times is to heavy...

At times there are more reasons than just personal issues that keep backsliders from being successful..

[nahkoe]

I felt that way about spending time on the floor at the alter. lol Seriously for awhile I wouldn't stand at the alter..I decided to just go to my knees right off cuz I knew I'd be ending up on the floor one way or another anyhow.

Erm..I mean feel. Was just thinking and I think I seem to still be pretty careful to kneel at the alter vs standing. lol

I haven't seen anyone else in the church spend any time on the floor..I know it could partially be it's a new church and small yet. But it's definitely hard on the ego to always be at the alter longer than anyone, or be flat on the floor and at the alter longer than anyone. heh

Originally Posted by AmazingGrace

That part always got to me. I always felt like if I went to the altar that everyone was watching and saying oh here she goes again!

[AmazingGrace]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I felt that way about spending time on the floor at the alter. lol Seriously for awhile I wouldn't stand at the alter..I decided to just go to my knees right off cuz I knew I'd be ending up on the floor one way or another anyhow.

Erm..I mean feel. Was just thinking and I think I seem to still be pretty careful to kneel at the alter vs standing. lol

I haven't seen anyone else in the church spend any time on the floor..I know it could partially be it's a new church and small yet. But it's definitely hard on the ego to always be at the alter longer than anyone, or be flat on the floor and at the alter longer than anyone. heh

Can I say I know all too well whatcha mean?!?! LOL

It gets easier! I promise! May I ask and if you dont feel comfortable on the forum you can pm me. How long have you been back in church? You may have said and I overlooked.

[PastorD]

Originally Posted by revrandy

I've often encouraged backsliders to find another church to come back to...

God forgets and forgives.. Many times church people won't... and having to carry that many times is to heavy...

At times there are more reasons than just personal issues that keep backsliders from being successful..

very good....unless, they were really big tithers!

Originally Posted by PastorD

I tend to work what I call 'positive conviction' if at all possible, but.....

Backslidders, if have been in from childhood, usually have heard and believe that God will never let them go too far. I am a believer in grace pulling you back time and again, but there is a such thing as too far. The Bible says-sin, when "IT" is finished.

I guess to sum that up in a point backslidders make the mistake of thinking they are in control of when and where they return. Watch out for the "IT"!

Again... good stuff! Sounds like that 'IT' may have been addressed from a pulpit perspective before, huh?