God's will is not always done on earth, as seen in the stories of Saul and David, where kings who moved away from the voice of God suffered consequences, including the loss of their kingdom and the destruction of their city and temple. The Bible teaches that God's chosen people Israel were not meant to have a king, but as they moved away from God, they eventually insisted on one, leading to their downfall. Today, America is also moving away from the voice of the Lord, choosing leaders who spurn the Bible and celebrate abortion and same-sex marriage, which God calls abominations. The remnant of God remains, and it's essential to hold up the banner of truth and stand for righteousness, even in the face of ungodly decisions and actions. [... more]

God's chosen people Israel were meant to be a kingdom of priests with God as their king, but they insisted on a human ruler, resulting in a rebel king who led them further away from the voice of God. Similarly, America is moving away from the voice of the Lord, choosing leaders who spurn the Bible and celebrate abortion and same-sex marriage, which God calls abominations. [... more]

God's chosen people, Israel, were meant to be a kingdom of priests with God as their king, but they insisted on a human king, leading to a nation of backsliding and eventual destruction. Similarly, America is moving away from the voice of the Lord, choosing leaders who spurn the Bible and celebrate national sins, which will lead to judgment. [... more]

A spiritual awakening breaks out in the city of Nineveh as Jonah preaches the message of God's mercy, but he himself struggles with anger and bitterness, highlighting the dangers of backsliding and the importance of repentance. [... more]

God's love is illustrated through the marriage ceremony between Hosea and Gomer, where He demonstrates His commitment to restore His people, even when they turn away from Him. The wilderness experience becomes a place of spiritual restoration, where God speaks comfortably to His people, drawing them back to Himself. [... more]

Backsliding is a serious sin that can lead to a loss of assurance, but the Holy Spirit can revive it through renewed prayer, confession, and forsaking of sin. The Puritans believed that divine desertion, or the withdrawal of God's presence, can occur, but it is not the norm. Instead, the believer's sin and neglect of spiritual disciplines are usually the cause of lost assurance. Revival of assurance begins with a longing cry of the heart for the Holy Spirit not to be taken from us, and it can be achieved by returning to the means of grace, such as secret prayer and the preached word. [... more]

God's love and patience are evident in His desire for us to return to Him, despite our tendency to backslide and sin. He welcomes us to come back, forgives our transgressions, and wants to have a fellowship with us. We must recognize our spiritual state and make a decision to seek God, call upon Him, and return to Him, acknowledging our sin and seeking His pardon. [... more]

David's life is an example of backsliding and fleeing from God, but it also shows how he grew from his mistakes and learned to put his trust in the Lord. When we take our eyes off God and focus on ourselves, we can become trapped in a cycle of disobedience and self-pity. However, God's purpose is always for our good, and He can lead us forward even in the midst of uncertainty and adversity. [... more]

The danger of desertion is a subtle fade away from the Lord, often driven by a love for the present world. As seen in the story of Demas, this can lead to a hardened heart toward God's word and a tendency to sluggishness in Christian discipline. However, God promises to heal backsliding and loves us freely, calling us to detest our sin and find hope in his unmerited favor. [... more]

The Bible warns that pride goes before a fall and an arrogant spirit before destruction, emphasizing the importance of humility and awareness of our vulnerability to temptation. Pastor Greg Laurie discusses the story of Peter's denial of Jesus and the steps that led to his downfall, highlighting the dangers of self-confidence, prayerlessness, and keeping distance from God. He encourages listeners to avoid the downward spiral of backsliding and instead cultivate a close relationship with God through prayer and fellowship. [... more]

Simon Peter, a man of contradictions, struggled with self-confidence, prayerlessness, and trusting in human efforts instead of God's power. Despite his failures, including denying Jesus three times, God gave him second chances and ultimately used him to spread the message of redemption. Jesus' invasion of Peter's world and his willingness to forgive and restore him serve as a reminder that God can take our endings and turn them into beginnings, transforming us into winners and giving us a fresh start. [... more]

God's prophet Isaiah condemns Judah's idolatry and spiritual infidelity, warning of judgment and punishment for their sins. He contrasts the righteous with the wicked, emphasizing the importance of humility and faith in God's mercy and holiness. [... more]

The prophet Isaiah critiques the spiritual harlotry and child sacrifice of the ancient world, comparing it to modern-day paganism and the worship of created things. He emphasizes the importance of following God's word and rejecting the influences of hell, highlighting the consequences of spiritual infidelity and the need for spiritual protection. [... more]

The prophet Isaiah addresses a society consumed by idolatry, immorality, and occult practices, warning of the consequences of spiritual decay and the importance of standing firm in righteousness amidst evil forces. [... more]

A spiritual awakening breaks out in the city of Nineveh after Jonah preaches to its people, but he becomes angry and bitter when God spares the city, illustrating the dangers of backsliding and the importance of trusting God's love and plan. [... more]

Loving the world isn't simply a minor slight to God, but spiritual adultery, and those who engage in it are guilty of divided affection and hatred towards God. God's love and grace are greater than our sins, and he gives more grace to those who seek him, but it's up to us to choose to follow him and not sit on the fence, allowing conflicting passions and backsliding to consume us. [... more]

Many assume that church attendance and ministry work are safeguards against spiritual decay But is anyone safe from potentially backsliding Hear the answer and learn how to care for those who wander from the faith on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg ----------------------------------------- Click here and look for FROM THE SERMON to stream or read the full message This program is part of the series A Study in James Volume ' Learn more about our current resource request your copy with a donation of any amount Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles [... more]

Pastor Greg Laurie shares insights on how to avoid spiritual backsliding, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, prayer, and fellowship with God. He uses the example of Peter's denial of Jesus to illustrate the dangers of self-confidence, prayerlessness, and keeping distance from the Lord. The pastor also shares the redemption story of Johnny Cash, highlighting the importance of faith and turning back to God in times of struggle. [... more]

David's experience of being taken through deep trials and others escaping them, and how he finally cried to God for guidance, strength, and wisdom, leading to his deliverance and return to fellowship with God. [... more]

Abraham's wavering faith is examined as he faces a famine in the land, leading him to lie about his wife and seek help from Pharaoh. This decision has consequences, including God afflicting Pharaoh and Abraham being rebuked by him. Four life-transforming lessons are drawn from this passage, including the sin of unbelief, never backsliding alone, it's better to stay in fellowship with God in a famine than to backslide into a land of plenty, and God is with us even when we backslide. [... more]