Proverbs 14:14a, Backsliding – Its Root

August 13, Proverbs 14:14a

Mark 14:37-38; Rev. 22:11-13 “Israel is an empty vine… Their heart is divided” (Hos. 10:1-2)

Backsliding – Its Root

This is the only place in the KJV where the word backslider occurs. The sin of backsliding, however, is referred to many times in Scripture. For example, there are some thirteen references to it in Jeremiah, and at least three in Hosea, where a different Hebrew word is used. It was, and is still, all too common among professing Christians. It relates to the sad, spiritual unfaithfulness of a person or even a whole nation, as in the case of Israel (Jer. 8:5). It may also refer to a local congregation (1 Tm. 4:1;Rev. 2:4; 14-15). This verse is one of the most complete on the subject of the backslider, and worthy of our closest study.

1. The Declension: The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways. It is the backslider’s heart that is the trouble centre, the contaminated source. Like Ephraim, he has a divided heart. It is in his heart that he turns away from God. It is similar in meaning to the word perverse (Pr. 14:2). He departs from God’s ways, and becomes filled with his own ways. He now lives like a wandering sheep (Isa. 53:6). He has spiritually left the fold, and his first love. Yet, it is seldom a sudden turning, but more like a boat that is just drifting slowly with the current, but ever gaining speed. He begins to neglect the Word of God, secret prayer, and self-examination. He is no longer growing in grace and in the knowledge and love of God. His ardour and zeal for spiritual things are gone. If unchecked, this leads to more perversity of spirit. He not only goes the wrong way, but may even claim it is God’s leading! He is certainly filled with his own ways.

2. The Deception: The word filled means satisfied with. He is satisfied with himself. He may be a backslider in heart, and yet be guilty of no gross sins! Like the moralist, he is smug and self-righteous, outwardly at least, whatever secret misgivings he may have. He can still conform to the rules of the assembly. He covers up his true state so that the most discerning brethren may not detect his duplicity. He becomes a consummate deceiver, and like Ananias, he can lie against the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3). How shocking that with the backslider there is such fearful lying and cheating. He lies in his prayers, in his singing, in his talking, and even while he continues to serve. As a result, he is one of the most difficult to reclaim, spiritually. No wonder many reject this as a perverted gospel.

3. The Destruction: This word filled also means sated or bloated. He reaps what he sows! Once backsliding starts there is inevitable retrogression. It is down hill, or down stream, all the way. “Backsliders begin with dusty Bibles and end with filthy garments” (CHS). He is like the tree, felled at the roots in a storm that had rotted at the core. The crash only revealed the tree’s true state. “It is possible, for a long time to conform to the rules of wisdom and the fear of Jehovah, while in secret desiring the forbidden thing. Such a man is backsliding, and at last that backsliding will become apparent,” (G.C. Morgan).

Thought: “Un-saintly saints are the tragedy of Christianity” (Tozer).

Prayer: Lord, keep me in my first love.