Every genuine Christian hate backsliding. The mere mentioning of the word should fill a good believer with holy anger and grave watchfulness. Here are some of the consequences of backsliding.
1. LOSS OF JOY AND PEACE
Psalms 51:12, Isaiah 48:22. Backsliding takes away our joy and peace because we move away from God’s perfect design and promises for us. This consequences of backsliding results in feelings of uneasiness, worry, and unhappiness.
2. SUFFERING GOD’S DISCIPLINE
Hebrews 12:6-8. Backsliding might bring God’s disciplinary actions in order to guide us back into righteousness. God chastises those whom He loves and uses pain to drive His children back into His arms.
3. INCREASED VULNERABILITY TO SIN
Romans 6:12. Backsliding might make us susceptible to sin. By willingly distancing ourselves from God’s principles, we expose ourselves to temptation and compromise with sin.
4. IMPEDES SPIRITUAL GROWTH
1 Corinthians 3:1-2. Another consequences of backsliding is that it impedes spiritual growth. As backsliding drags us away from our spiritual commitments, it inhibits our spiritual growth, and may keep us in a spiritually immature state.
5. POOR TESTIMONY TO OTHERS
2 Samuel 12:14. Backsliding tarnishes our Christian testimony before non-believers, leading them astray or making them think less of God’s saving power.
6. DAMAGED RELATIONSHIPS
1 Corinthians 5:11. Backsliding might ruin our relationships with fellow Christians who are not prepared to bear our shortcomings or unwillingness to change.
7. SEVERE CONSEQUENCES
Jonah 1:1-15. God may allow severe consequences as a result of our backsliding to help us return to Him. Just like Jonah, our rebellion could result in disaster not just for ourselves, but also for those around us.
8. LOSS OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH
Judges 16:20-21. When Samson backslid, he lost his divine strength and became a captive. Backsliding may drain us spiritually, leaving us weak in the face of life’s trials.
9. DIMINISHED CAPACITY TO HEAR GOD
Proverbs 28:9. When we stray from God’s paths, we lose our ability to hear His voice clearly. As a result, God’s direction for our lives becomes increasingly vague and hard to understand.
Recommended Reading
Seven Causes of Backsliding
Seven Habits Of A Growing Christian
How To Build A Good Prayer Life
10. LOSS OF HEAVENLY REWARD
2 John 1:8. Loss of heavenly reward is another consequences of backsliding. Backsliding may cause us to lose heavenly rewards because it negatively affects our service to God. Although salvation isn’t lost, our faithfulness is rewarded in heaven, and unfaithfulness has its consequences.
11. UNANSWERED PRAYERS
I Sam. 28:6, Ps. 66:18, Prov 1:24, 28. When you begin to forsake the Lord, heaven is not obliged to hearken to your voice.
12. SELFISHNESS
Prov 14:14. A backslider will no longer be concerned with the things of God or fellow brethren. He regards his life first and all other things are secondary.
13. UNFITNESS FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Luke 9:52, Rev. 3:16, Ex. 32: 33 Heb. 10:26-29. No backslider has right to eternal life; he has forfeited his heavenly inheritance and is lost forever. The door of mercy is closed and the kindness of the Almighty is kept at bay.