Topical Bible: Backsliding: God is Displeased At

◄ Backsliding: God is Displeased At ►

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Backsliding refers to the act of turning away from God and returning to sinful ways after having once embraced faith and righteousness. This concept is a recurring theme in the Bible, where it is often met with divine displeasure and calls for repentance.

Biblical Instances and God's Displeasure:

1. Israel's Repeated Backsliding:
The nation of Israel is frequently depicted as backsliding from their covenant with God. Despite being chosen as God's people, they often turned to idolatry and disobedience. In Jeremiah 2:19 , God expresses His displeasure: "Your own wickedness will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me," declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

2. Warnings Through Prophets:
Prophets like Hosea and Jeremiah were sent to warn the people of the consequences of their backsliding. Hosea 14:1 calls Israel to repentance: "Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity." This plea underscores God's desire for His people to return to Him, despite His displeasure with their actions.

3. Judah's Unfaithfulness:
In Jeremiah 3:6-8 , God recounts Judah's unfaithfulness: "During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, 'Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. And I thought that after she had done all these things, she would return to Me. But she did not return, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it.'"

4. Consequences of Backsliding:
The consequences of backsliding are severe, as seen in 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 verse highlights the principle that turning away from God leads to spiritual and often physical repercussions.

5. Call to Repentance:
Despite His displeasure, God continually calls His people to repentance. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 , God promises restoration if His people turn back to Him: "And My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

Theological Implications:

Backsliding is not merely a personal failing but a breach of the covenant relationship with God. It reflects a heart that has turned away from the love and commandments of the Lord. God's displeasure is not rooted in a desire for punishment but in a longing for His people to return to a path of righteousness and communion with Him. The Bible consistently portrays God as a loving Father who desires repentance and restoration for His wayward children.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 78:57,59
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

What are Evidences of Backsliding in Heart.
... and perhaps more frequently than any other, the occasion of backsliding. ... kept down,
and it is enough to please God, whether men are pleased or displeased. ...
/.../finney/the backslider in heart/iii what are evidences of.htm

Putting God to Work
... to pray has been the baneful, inevitable cause of backsliding and estrangement from ...
to the suggestion of Satan, and counted the people, which displeased God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/ii putting god to work.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... seems to have been written after he was reclaimed from backsliding, as appears ...
instruction, but that, nevertheless, with many of them God was displeased. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... wearieth himself with vanity, for he knoweth not the way to the city of God. ... seen
the Lord Jesus looking down upon me, as being very hotly displeased with me ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... A TREATISE OF THE FEAR OF GOD; SHOWING ... Geo. Offor. A TREATISE ON THE FEAR OF GOD.
"BLESSED IS EVERY ONE THAT FEARETH THE LORD.""Psalm 128:1. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The Backslider in Heart.
... and perhaps more frequently than any other, the occasion of backsliding. ... it is enough
for such an one to please God, whether men are pleased or displeased. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xxi the backslider in.htm

A Great Religious Awakening.
... and vice, but rebuking worldliness and backsliding, and warning ... When the Pharisees,
sorely displeased, said unto ... hast perfected praise?" As God wrought through ...
/.../20 a great religious awakening.htm

A Great Religious Awakening
... vice, but rebuking worldliness and backsliding, and warning ... When the Pharisees, sorely
displeased, said unto Him ... hast perfected praise?" As God wrought through ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 20 a great religious.htm

Hindrances to Revivals.
... from year to year, with a displeased countenance, shall ... brethren, must repent and
pray to God that they ... there is in Christians to declension and backsliding. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xv hindrances to revivals.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... Note, When providences are black and terrible to God's people, the Lord Jesus shows
himself to them in wonderful manner; the which sometimes they can as little ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm