Bible Word of the Day

Backsliding (Falling Away from the False, False Profession of Faith)

Meaning
Backsliding is a term which refers to a deliberate turning away from faith in God. It’s used in reference to Christians today, but was also applied during Old Testament times. This was the condition the prophets warned about to both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. One of the most famous was Jeremiah the prophet. He repeatedly warned the Southern Kingdom of Judah of the impending judgment of God. So much so that he was nicknamed the “weeping prophet” because of his tears for the people who would not listen. And after much warning when the people would not listen God sent Babylon to overthrow the Southern Kingdom of Judah and take the nation into captivity. They remained in captivity for seventy years, while there they repented and turned back toward the Lord. Today this term applies to people who claim to be Christian. Specifically, people who claimed to have put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, but despite that claim, continue to live as the world lives in rebellion against God.

They may have gone to church and for a period of time, followed the Lord, then for whatever reason stopped and began following after the world. It can also refer to those who claim to be Christian yet never read their Bibles nor really understand what the Bible says. Another term for backsliding is “falling away from the faith.” When this happens depending on the severity of the falling away it naturally calls into question the sincerity of the person’s original proclamation of faith. Jesus talked about this very same thing in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel in His “Parable of the Sower.” However, we have to also make sure not to confuse backsliding with the “Great Apostasy.” The “Great Apostasy” is an event associated with the end-times shortly before the return of Jesus. This is where society as a whole will fall away from faith in Christ and turn toward doctrines of demons. The Bible tells us this will be a time when people shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy in their thoughts and actions, seeking only what pleases them.