Skip to main content

7 Signs You're A Backslider (According to the Bible)

By TBDNetwork

June 03, 2020

Share This Article

Ever wonder who's a backslider? Here are 7 characteristics of a backslider according to the bible. Do you know Christians with these characteristics?

The Bottom Line

Even if you have backslidden or turned away from your relationship with God, Jeremiah 3:12 says, "God will not remain angry forever". You can return to Him at anytime. He loves us. Acknowledge and confess your sins sincerely and He will bring you back to Zion (God's perfect will). He will come and get you no matter where you are. It doesn't matter what you've done in your past or how recent you've done it. Be sincere and He'll know it.

7 Characteristics of a Backslider

These are 7 characteristics of a backslidden person according to the bible. The Merriam-Webster definition of the word backslide is "1: to lapse morally or in the practice of religion or 2: to revert to a worse condition : RETROGRESS". Wikipedia defines it: "Backsliding, also known as falling away or committing apostasy, is a term used within Christianity to describe a process by which an individual who has converted to Christianity reverts to pre-conversion habits and/or lapses or falls into sin, when a person turns from God to pursue their own desire."

These passages reference the New International translationof the bible.

  1. (Jeremiah 3:11) They justify their own behaviour. They compare themself to others and look on others as less than. Example: They say, "I did this but at least I didn't do that" when talking about someone else. No one sin is bigger than another sin according to the bible. 
  2. (Jeremiah 8:5) They are deceived and stubborn. They've been tricked and believed it. They won't believe they're wrong in the face of undenaible evidence like video. They convince themselves they are right in any situation even when everyone says they're wrong. 
  3. (Zephaniah 1:6) They refuse to seek God on their decisions. There's nothing in life too small to talk to God about. Nothing. They make decisions and never seek God about them. They never consult God for direction in their life.
  4. (Hosea 11:7) They refuse to exalt God to His rightful place. We should exalt and glorify Him. They never show God or Jesus the reverence and exaltation that they deserve. They nolonger believe that Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. 
  5. (Luke 9:62) They focus on looking back. They focus on their past or want to go back to what God has delivered them from. 
  6. (Matthew 15:8) They have a heart that is far from God. They talk about God but have their heart in the wrong place. Example: They say all of the cliche things while in church but have hate in their heart for others.  We have to have a heart obedience and passion for God.
  7. (Proverbs 14:14) Their heart will be filled with their own ways. They do what they want to do based on what they think is right.

Sources: 

Share This Article