Posted on 11/14/2022 12:41:30 AM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself” (Proverbs 14:14).
“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways,” is an Old Testament term: “Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever” (Jeremiah 3:12).
Have you ever seen anyone slide on their back? It is hard to use the term in a Christian context, yet we do use the term for a Christian who turns worldly or carnal. He goes back to the worldly elements. Backsliding begins in the heart. Peter backslid when we said he was returning to fishing, but Jesus came to him and restored him. Where does backsliding lead us? To our own ways. What is the cost of backsliding? You begin to reap those worldly ways. Lot was filled with his own ways. He chose the plains of Sodom over the things of God and it cost him dearly.
We could look at the backsliding of Peter.
First of all it begins with his own self-confidence: “But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I” (Mark 14:29).
That is where backsliding begins. It begins with a man having a false image of himself, being confident. Not I! I won’t be offended! I won’t fail! In verse 31 he said: “If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.” Proud, boasting. And it led others astray, “Likewise also said they all.” Self-confidence leads to a false pride. When it came right down to it, he did deny Him—thrice.
In verse 37 we see the results of pride: “And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?” (Mark 14:37). Peter got so proud that he did neither watch, nor pray. He chose to sleep rather than to watch. In other words, he forsook his most basic Christian duty. When he should have been watching and praying, “I don’t need that. I’m spiritual!”
This is where backsliding begins—when we think we have a handle on this Christian duty. You think you are untouchable, and then comes the fall. “And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear” (Mark 14:47). His backsliding developed into a misguided zeal, where he got ahead of God and took things into his own hands. He was firmly on the road of the backslider.
“And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire” (Mark 14:54). Peter had become ashamed of his testimony and grew cold toward his faith. Soon he was a compromiser. Having fellowship with the enemies of God. In verse 66-70, he denies his Lord and in verse 71 he recalled Jesus’ words to him of what would happen, and he wept and began to repent.
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