“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” (Proverbs 14:14)
When we get saved, the sins of our past are forgiven, and we are given daily help to keep them a thing of the past. Angry men become patient. Bitter men become grateful. Greedy men become content. Lustful men become temperate. Fearful men become courageous.
Temptations can still come, sometimes strongly on the lines of our previous sinful ways; but by the grace of God we don’t have to return to the vomit. We are filled and satisfied with a life of godliness. But what happens to the backslider? Now that he has reopened the door, his sinful ways come rushing back in. He is angrier than ever – not just at one thing, but at everything. He is bitter across the board – life in every direction stinks. Contentment is gone and now he lives in a depressed state of want. The lust he found victory over, now slays him at will. The fear he was so happy to be free of now plagues him more than ever.
It has been said that there is no worse hell than a backslider’s hell. The demons that were put to flight are now back in full force. Is there hope for the backslider? Yes, the same Jesus who heard your desperate cry before will hear it again, if you are willing to be rescued from the pit you are in. You could not save yourself before, and you cannot save yourself now. Don’t delay your return. Things can get worse.