Definition and Context:
Sliding, in a biblical context, often refers to a metaphorical movement away from faithfulness to God. It is akin to backsliding, which denotes a regression in spiritual commitment or a return to sinful behaviors after a period of improvement or repentance. The concept of sliding is not explicitly named in the Bible, but the idea is prevalent throughout Scripture, particularly in the narratives of Israel's relationship with God and in the teachings of the prophets.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 3:22 : "Return, O backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." This verse captures the essence of sliding as a departure from God, with an invitation to return and receive healing. The prophet Jeremiah frequently addressed the Israelites' tendency to stray from their covenant with God, urging them to repent and renew their commitment.

2. Hosea 14:4 : "I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, for My anger has turned away from them." Here, the term "apostasy" is synonymous with sliding away from God. Hosea's message emphasizes God's willingness to forgive and restore those who have slid into unfaithfulness.

3. Proverbs 14:14 : "The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his own ways, but a good man will be rewarded for his." This proverb highlights the consequences of sliding away from righteousness, contrasting the outcomes of a life led by faithfulness versus one marked by spiritual regression.

Theological Implications:

Sliding is often seen as a gradual process, where small compromises or neglect in spiritual disciplines lead to a more significant departure from God. It serves as a warning to believers to remain vigilant in their faith and to continually seek God's guidance and strength. The Bible consistently calls for repentance and a return to God, emphasizing His readiness to forgive and restore those who have slid away.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel frequently experienced periods of sliding, particularly during times of prosperity or when influenced by surrounding pagan cultures. The cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, repentance, and restoration is a recurring theme, illustrating the human tendency to drift away from God and the divine call to return.

Practical Application:

For contemporary believers, the concept of sliding serves as a reminder to maintain a close relationship with God through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other Christians. It encourages self-examination and accountability within the community of faith to prevent spiritual decline. The assurance of God's forgiveness and love provides hope and motivation to return to Him when one has slid away.

Conclusion:

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "sliding," the concept is integral to understanding the dynamics of faithfulness and unfaithfulness in the believer's life. The call to vigilance, repentance, and restoration remains relevant for all who seek to walk closely with God.1. (a.) That slides or slips; gliding; moving smoothly.

2. (a.) Slippery; elusory.

The Water-Mark of John's Gospel.
... The underneath word, that John uses in his own mother tongue, runs a sliding scale
of meaning. It's a ladder rising from bottom round to topmost. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the water-mark of johns gospel.htm

Of Divers Friendships of Good and Ill, and if they Can be Loosed ...
... when the things that stirred the love are not had; so that if by manners or riches
or fairness friendship be had, with ill manners, sliding riches, and wasted ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/chapter ix of divers friendships.htm

The Northern Mountains
... rapidly by the tropic rain and heat, it forms, even on the steepest slopes, a mass
of soil many feet in depth, ever increasing, and ever sliding into the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

Foretastes of the Heavenly Life
... as a place where we shall never, never sin"where our feet shall be fixed firmly
upon a rock"where there is neither tripping nor sliding"where faults ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 45 1899/foretastes of the heavenly life.htm

Outward Bound
... the chill low December sun; and the shining calm of Southampton water, and the pleasant
and well-beloved old shores and woods and houses sliding by; and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter i outward bound.htm

Believe Just Now
... over the great gulf by human appliances; man's ways of evading the awful question
of his own utter impotence; man's unscriptural devices for sliding out of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ix believe just now.htm

The Handwriting Blotted Out
... and puzzled. If we knew all, we would find that only the fall has been
sudden, that he has been sliding toward it for years. Away ...
/.../moody/weighed and wanting/the handwriting blotted out.htm

On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
... But He, her fears to cease, Sent down the meek-ey'd Peace; She crown'd with
olive-green, came softly sliding Down through the turning sphere, His ready ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/on the morning of christs.htm

Letter xxvii (Circa AD 1127) to the Same
... for the sake of God. 2. But what am I doing? I promised brevity, and I
am sliding into prolixity. If you desire news of Brother ...
/.../letter xxvii circa a d 1127.htm

Songs from 'the Water-Babies'
... Soft soft wind, from out the sweet south sliding, Waft thy silver cloud webs athwart
the summer sea; Thin thin threads of mist on dewy fingers twining Weave a ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/songs from the water-babies.htm

Sliding (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sliding (1 Occurrence). Job 12:5 A torch -- despised in
the thoughts of the secure Is prepared for those sliding with the feet. (YLT). ...
/s/sliding.htm - 6k

Slide (3 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The act of sliding; as, a slide on the ice. 11. (n.) Smooth, even passage
or progress. 12. (n.) That on which anything moves by sliding. 13. ...
/s/slide.htm - 9k

Launch (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the
water; to plunge; to make a beginning; as, to launch into the current of a ...
/l/launch.htm - 8k

Coasting (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) A sailing along a coast, or from port to port; a carrying on a coasting
trade. 4. (n.) Sliding down hill; sliding on a sled upon snow or ice. ...
/c/coasting.htm - 7k

Slight (13 Occurrences)

/s/slight.htm - 11k

Torch (6 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB JPS DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 12:5 A torch -- despised in the thoughts
of the secure Is prepared for those sliding with the feet. (YLT). ...
/t/torch.htm - 9k

Target (14 Occurrences)
... as, he made a good target. 4. (n.) The sliding crosspiece, or vane, on
a leveling staff. 5. (n.) A conspicuous disk attached to ...
/t/target.htm - 11k

Throw (135 Occurrences)
... 20. (n.) An effort; a violent sally. 21. (n.) The extreme movement given to a sliding
or vibrating reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, eccentric, or the like ...
/t/throw.htm - 38k

Traveler (5 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) An iron encircling a rope, bar, spar, or the like, and sliding thereon.
Multi-Version Concordance Traveler (5 Occurrences). ...
/t/traveler.htm - 8k

Traverse (5 Occurrences)
... traverses not under his control. 5. (n.) A barrier, sliding door, movable
screen, curtain, or the like. 6. (n.) A gallery or loft ...
/t/traverse.htm - 10k

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