By Kia Crawford
Are you in a Backslidden Condition?
Hosea 11:7 KJV
"And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him."
Backslidden: I came across the term "backslidden" in a insightful article by Diane Dew, while searching for answers as to how we, as followers of Christ and servants of the Most High God, often find ourselves in a spiritual wilderness. How do we turn our backs on our faithful, merciful God?
A Backslidden Condition:
With the world conveying various messages, information and chaos abound, we as followers of Christ have a unique challenge to stay focused and steadfast in the spirit of the Most High. Operating in a fashion that is truly "set-apart" can be profoundly difficult in today's society. The ways of unbelievers are constantly inundating our eyes and ears. Further, we must remain vigilant against the untruths of believers who have accepted the ideas of man and drifted away from the instructions given by the Father. It can all become confusing, spiritually chaotic and lead to backsliding.
In essence, backsliding means relapse in or to turn away from-- or to turn back. In scripture, the term is used frequently to describe many of God's chosen who have lost their way and drifted away from God.
All throughout the Bible, one could find examples of God's servants finding themselves in a backslidden condition. Many of God's chosen, from David to Solomon to Peter, have experienced this condition.
Just like the Israelites of the Bible, the children of God of today continue to struggle with the flesh and often turn a deaf ear to the spirit, landing themselves in a backslidden condition.
In the book of Hosea, we see the Israelites who have turned their hearts away from God distracted by the ways of the world.
Hosea 4:1-2 NIV
"Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the stealing and adultery; they break all bounds,
By: Kia Crawford
Inspired by writings from Diane Dew in Essentials of Revival