The Backslider

If I could describe my Christian life, it would be one of a backslider. When I first got saved, I didn't walk with the Lord at all and I paid dearly for it. I was chastened badly and my life was destroyed. Once I finally got right with the Lord, I found myself falling back into the same old traps. It seemed no matter how hard I wanted to do good, my lust for pleasure would almost always win. When we live in the the flesh our whole lives, we get used to gratifying our flesh. We become accustomed to doing things we shouldn't and it doesn't really bother us. When we begin walking with the Lord, we have to deny ourselves the things that brought us pleasure. In some cases these things are what helped us make it through life. Like if a person gets stressed they may listen to heavy metal music or smoke marijuana. These things are coping mechanisms that we think we can't live without. When a person adopts that mind set, giving up those sinful activities becomes very difficult. Some even say that it is impossible. This is often an excuse people will give for not becoming a Christian in the first place. They think it is to hard and their sin will get them sent to hell if they screw up. This is not true, by God's grace are we saved, not by good works.

Constantly failing in your Christian walk can be frustrating to say the least, but you must persevere. All Christians fall into temptation and make mistakes. A popular term is I die everyday, referring to sin in a Christians life. Even the Apostle Paul had struggles with sin.

Romans 7

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Paul had his battles against sin just like you and me. We must not let that be an excuse though. Paul also talked about fighting the good fight, and abstaining from fleshly desires.

I Thessalonians 5

15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Here is just one of many passages of Paul telling believers how they should live their life. We

must clean up all areas of our lives thought, word, and deed. This is always easier said than

done, but we must strive towards a Christ-like life. What then must we do to obtain this?

First, we must cut off the outside world. If you have any unsaved friends that refuse Christ,

get rid of them. They are a bad influence. Next, stop engaging in sinful activities. You must

cut these things off. Again, this is easier said than done, but you must try your best daily to

do this. Pray to God everyday to help you stop doing these things. Don't do minor sins that

will lead to major sins. For instance, stay off Instagram, if it will cause you to lust and look at

pornography. Don't listen to worldly music that might make you want to drink alcohol. You

see what I'm saying. If we stay off the paths that lead to bigger sins, we are less likely to

commit those sins. I often find myself falling into little harmless sins that seem like no big

deal, knowing they will lead to bigger sins. Once I get to the point where I want to submit to

a major sin, I am now in a battle that I should not be in. Do not set yourself up for a fall. fight

the good fight. If you do fall, pick yourself up and keep going. God will help you to overcome

these problems in your life. If you come to him with a pure heart and really want to change

he will help you. You have to really want to change, for God to step in. You also have to be

patient, God does not always snap into action right away, things take time with him. He

helps you to grow and develop maturity in your Christian walk. That way when you do get

the victory, it is that much sweeter. We also have to watch the thoughts and what we allow

into our mind. We can not poison our mind with filth and expect to live a sanctified life. We

can not let our mind dwell on evil and expect victory over sin. Paul's list above is a good

starting place for victory over back sliding. The bible holds the answers to all our problems.

Study it instead of running to sin every time temptation rears it's head. I have been

fortunate to gain victory over a majority of the sins in my life, but their are times when I

backslide. I hate it, but it is a part of the Christian life. The more I reach out to God for help

the easier it gets. I can say with certainty that this time next year I will be further along than

I was this year, and the year after that even further. As long as I keeping coming back to

God, he will eventually give me the victory. I won't be sinless but I will certainly sin less.

I hope you enjoyed this article. If you are not a Christian, I invite you to get saved now. Tomorrow may be to late. To get saved all you have to do, is admit that you are a sinner and that Jesus Christ died for your sins. The only way to take away sins is with the pure shed blood of Jesus Christ. Good works can not take away sins. If they could, then Jesus Christ died in vain. Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead as payment for all sins. Once you believe that, you are saved forever. You did nothing to earn it and you can do nothing to lose it.

Romans 3

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Ephesians 2

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I Corinthians 15

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

II Timothy 1

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,